GOLDEN VALLEY, Ariz. - Mohave County officials have closed an animal shelter, leaving about 180 dogs and cats with uncertain fates.
The Kingman Daily Miner reports that Mohave County Sheriff's Office Animal Control officers, deputies and county building inspectors on Thursday condemned the Rescued Unwanted Furry Friends Foundation animal sanctuary, which was operated out of Hillarie Allison's home.
Allison was taken to Kingman Regional Medical Center on Monday and paramedics alerted county officials to unsanitary conditions in the home after taking her to the hospital.
MCSO's Trish Carter says the initial investigation began on Monday when "Animal Control Officers took custody of one dog that was inside the house. This female dog was taken to a local veterinarian as she was covered in ticks, emaciated, severely anemic and possibly needing a blood transfusion."
Animal control officers helped collect the animals from inside the home and from the yard, but volunteers can still care for the animals kept in kennels outside.
It is unclear what will happen to the remaining shelter animals.
Sheriff Jim McCabe stated, "Time and time again people have good intentions. Somewhere along the line it becomes overwhelming and the animals now become prisoners rather than being rescued."
MCSO's Trish Carter says the investigation remains active.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.