GOSHEN -- An animal cruelty investigation is underway at the home of Dawn Scheld, 46, of 737 Goshen Road. Law enforcement officers with the state S.P.C.A. raided the home at 10 a.m., armed with a search warrant.

Six dogs were found buried in the backyard; officers said they stopped digging because they had enough evidence to charge her.

Fifty seven sick and malnourished dogs were being kept in unconscionable conditions inside a home covered with fecal matter and urine. Dogs were also housed outside, their pens were covered in feces. Their water was frozen and little evidence of food could be found.

The dogs are receiving emergency medical attention from a veterinarian who responded to the scene.

Sheld was arrested when she came home this afternoon. She is being charged with causing the death of animals. Officials said additional charges will be filed at the conclusion of their investigation. Sheld is lodged in the Cape May County Jail on $50,000 full cash bail. Official's said she had recently returned from North Carolina with five more dogs.

Thompson still lives in Fitchburg, where Help A Hound was founded in 2009. Last year, the group was ordered by the Massachusetts Department of Agriculture to surrender seven dogs after Thompson brought them from Oppenheim without following dog-importation laws. Help A Hound was fined $4,500 after the incident but did not pay. The group remains under a cease-and-desist order in Massachusetts.

Various breeds were discovered on the property, which was allocated to house just 25 dogs. Dogs found at the Lottville Road residence included pit bulls, basset hounds, bulldogs, Chihuahuas and shepherd and Lab mixes. Some of the dogs were underweight and had various medical conditions, according to Eyre.

HAWTHORNE (KTLA) -- A Hawthorne couple was arrested Friday after officers found an elderly woman and 13 dogs living in squalor, police said.