GREAT FALLS - A woman has been charged with aggravated animal cruelty, a felony, in connection with the seizure of dozens of animals in Sun Prairie.
Court documents note that prior to a search warrant being executed at the property on Wednesday, there had been several other calls for service at the property since July 7. The calls cited many animals on the property, and some noted a pungent or foul odor of feces emanating from the residence.
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When deputies arrived on Wednesday to investigate, they talked with Tiffany Kay Bourdeau, who agreed to let them look at the property and take photographs. Deputies were also allowed to enter the residence with the permission of Bourdeau. Inside, deputies saw 30 dogs, some in kennels, and others loose. Deputies observed that the kennels were stacked on top of each other and had feces and urine in them.
A veterinarian was called to the property to assess the living conditions of the property and the residence.
According to court documents, the veterinarian said, "It is absolutely cruel to have these animals in these small kennels, covered in feces, adding that the living conditions were "disgusting,” "uninhabitable," and "inhumane.”
Cascade County Sheriff Jesse Slaughter said during a news conference on Thursday that his agency was investigating a large-scale animal cruelty case.
Sheriff Slaughter said that on Wednesday, deputies responded to a report about a disturbance involving at least one dog, and the following were found at the property along Eisenhower Drive in Sun Prairie: 37 dogs, four dead dogs, eight cats, one snake, five lizards, and one hedgehog. The deputies also found four dead dogs.
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Living conditions were "not good," both inside and outside, according to Sheriff Slaughter, noting that there were feces and pungent odors throughout the property, including indoors.
The animals were seized and are now being cared for at the Maclean-Cameron Animal Adoption Center (MCAAC) in Great Falls.
Sheriff Slaughter said that volunteers to foster the animals and donations to care for them are needed, as the animals must be vaccinated and cared for as the investigation continues.
Donations can be made via the Sheriff's Legacy Foundation website by clicking here.
For information about fostering an animal, contact the MCAAC by clicking here; donations can also be made directly to the MCAAC by clicking here.
