‘I Forgot All About Them,' Says Woman Allegedly Found With 44 Dead Dogs In Freezer

Authorities say 44 frozen dogs and 130 live dogs were found at a New Jersey home that reeked of animal feces and urine.

Donna Roberts, 65, was charged with animal cruelty following an inspection Tuesday at her Shamong Township residence in the Philadelphia suburbs, according to state police.

Officials also alleged the living dogs were found in "deplorable and inhumane conditions."

“When contact with the occupant raised concerns about the welfare of animals on the property, we sought a search warrant, which was then executed by the State Police," Burlington County Prosecutor Scott Coffina said in a news release. "We are appalled by the horrendous conditions these dogs were subjected to, and as a result I authorized charges against the property owner, Donna Roberts."

Roberts, meanwhile, claimed the dogs were stillborn and she forgot about them after putting them in baggies and storing them in a freezer seven years ago.

“I forgot all about them, they were in the cellar,” Roberts told the New York Post when reached by phone. “They were in a freezer, and that’s what breeders do when dogs die. I forgot all about them. They were born dead and I didn’t kill them. They’re making a big deal out of nothing.”

She said she wanted a veterinarian to perform autopsies, adding that she did nothing wrong and "most certainly" will fight the charges.

The odor of animal feces and ammonia reportedly made first responders to Roberts’ home dizzy, according to WABC.  

The American Kennel Club fined Roberts $500 in 2015 and gave her a six-month suspension for refusal to share inspection records.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

[Photo: Associated Press]