MIDDLEBOROUGH, Mass. (WLNE) — A Middleborough woman has been charged with 20 counts of animal cruelty after 17 allegedly neglected dogs were found inside a home in October. Kimberly Ann Savino, 43, is charged with 20 counts of cruelty to an animal by custodian, according to the Middleborough police. Savino surrendered to authorities at Wareham District Court on November 7 after police obtained a warrant for her arrest on October 30. She was arraigned on the animal cruelty charges after her surrender. The charges stem from an October 18 Middleborough Animal Control response to the Precinct Street residence. The MSPCA Law Enforcement Department executed a search warrant related to horses on the property. While executing an administrative warrant, Animal Control officers found the 17 dogs, two cats, a turtle and a guinea pig in need of medical care, according to police. One dog was unresponsive and immediately removed from the home. Middleborough police then obtained a search warrant to further investigate the home, observing the 17 dogs in crates in the basement. The dogs were covered in feces and urine, and had no access to food or water. The investigation found that Savino checked on the animals once a week and that the house was unoccupied. The house was condemned on October 18 as a health hazard, and the Middleborough Fire Department later determined it to be a fire hazard. Nine of the 17 dogs remain in the care of the Middleborough Animal Shelter, and the other eight dogs are in the care of the MSPCA. Savino surrendered the animals on November 7. The Middleborough Animal Shelter is also seeking donations and volunteers to help with the surrendered dogs. Categories: Massachusetts, News