A 62-year-old woman identified as Paige O’Donnell is facing 72 charges after authorities rescued 36 dogs from her home in Palm City, Florida, during an investigation into alleged animal hoarding.
Follow the Elizabethblog channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbDQN5lI1rcbSgriLG2M
The case came to light after deputies and Animal Services officers obtained a search warrant for O’Donnell’s residence on August 10, 2026.
When officers entered the property, they reportedly found dozens of dogs living in extremely poor conditions. According to authorities, the animals were matted and covered in faeces and urine, with many requiring immediate medical attention and care.
The Martin County Sheriff’s Office said the condition inside the property was significantly different from its exterior, which appeared to be well-maintained, neatly groomed and surrounded by fencing.
Inside, however, deputies encountered faeces, urine-soaked materials, boxes and other debris throughout the residence. The conditions reportedly made it difficult for officers to locate the animals and safely remove them.
Due to the state of the property, deputies and Animal Services officers had to wear Tyvek protective suits while carrying out the rescue operation.
Authorities said O’Donnell had claimed during the investigation that she had no more than five dogs inside the home. Officers ultimately discovered 36 dogs, all of which were removed from the property.
Woman Faces 72 Charges
Following the investigation, O’Donnell was charged with a total of 72 offences.
The charges include 36 felony counts of animal cruelty and 36 misdemeanor counts for allegedly failing to provide the dogs with proper exercise or air.
In a statement released by the Martin County Sheriff’s Office, authorities said:
“This afternoon, 62-year-old Paige O’Donnell learned her fate in court following yesterday’s disturbing animal hoarding investigation.
A judge set O’Donnell’s total bond at $275,000 and ordered that she may not own or possess either temporary or permanent any animals as conditions of her bond.
O’Donnell is facing 72 total charges — 36 counts of felony animal cruelty and 36 misdemeanor counts for failing to provide the dogs with proper exercise or air.
The charges stem from what Martin County Sheriff’s Office deputies and Animal Services officers discovered after obtaining a search warrant for O’Donnell’s Palm City home yesterday. The dogs were matted, covered in feces and urine and were in desperate need of care.
From the outside, the home appeared well-maintained, neatly groomed and fenced off. Inside was a much different story.
The conditions were so deplorable that deputies and Animal Services officers had to wear Tyvek protective clothing while working inside the home. Feces, urine-soaked materials, boxes and debris throughout the residence made the process of locating and safely removing the animals extremely challenging.
Throughout the investigation, O’Donnell claimed she had no more than five dogs inside the home. Deputies located 36. All were removed from the home and are now in the care and custody of the Treasure Coast Humane Society where they are being evaluated, cleaned, treated and cared for.
The future of the animals remains in the hands of the courts. For now, they are safe, receiving the care they desperately need.
If you would like to help, monetary donations made directly to the Treasure Coast Humane Society would be very appreciated.
The animals will require food, medical care, grooming and continued attention as they recover”
Following their removal from the property, the 36 dogs were placed in the care and custody of the Treasure Coast Humane Society.