MCSO deputies investigate 2 separate cases of animal cruelty in Surprise

WARNING: Graphic content video

SURPRISE, Ariz. -- Maricopa County Sheriff's deputies responded to two animal cruelty calls within days of each other and now we're getting a look at some disturbing video from inside one of those homes.

In both cases, several animals are recovering at the Palm Glen Animal Hospital in Phoenix.

One incident involved 23 cats and dogs removed from a home near 151st Avenue and Dynamite. In the video, you can see that the house was trashed and feces were everywhere.

Deputies say when they arrived at the scene on Tuesday, the smell was so bad that they had to wear protective masks.

MCSO was called to the home by the owner who says the former tenant, identified as Juli Soave, left the animals behind after she was evicted from the house. Investigators have not been able to contact her, but say she will almost certainly face charges.

The second incident involved MCSO deputies being called to a home near Citrus Road and Waddell on Sunday after firefighters reported a malnourished dog with an injured leg.

The 79-year-old owner, Lonnie Townsend, told deputies he couldn't afford medical care and was waiting for the dog to die. He may face animal cruelty charges as well. The dog remains in critical condition.