KCTV 5Woman facing felony charge after 25 dogs rescued from "filthy" sheds

A Savannah woman faces a felony charge of animal neglect after a Kansas City group rescued 25 dogs from her home.

The charge came after a high school track player and two high school staff members were bitten last month  by a dog on the property.

The property owner, Shirley Hatfield, pleaded guilty in 2009 to two misdemeanor offenses related to animal abuse. She defended herself in an interview with KCTV5.

"I did my best," she said. "I paid more in dog food a month than I did my land payment just because I couldn't' find homes for these dogs."

She said she did not want the dogs destroyed. She said she is relieved that Wayside Waifs has taken them in.

Wayside Waifs said Monday that two trips were needed to rescue the dogs from "an animal hoarding situation." Wayside Waifs responded at the request of the Andrew County Sheriff's Department.

"Most of the animals were being housed outside in filthy sheds and out buildings," the no-kill shelter said in a news release. "They have spent their entire lives outside with minimal access to clean water and food. The animals have also had very limited interaction with people. Many of the mixed breed dogs are showing visible signs of illness, including mange."

Veterinarians are assessing the dogs' conditions and will provide the needed treatment, officials said.

Hatfield said the dogs are strays she has rescued who instinctively come to her residence because they "think this is home."

She said she regrets that three people were bitten by one of her dogs.

"I didn't mean for that child to get bitten and I did get rid of all my animals because of it," she said.

Andrew County Sheriff Bryan Atkins did not return a telephone call seeking comment.

One of Hatfield's neighbors, Brenda Hoyt, said Hatfield means well when it comes to animals.

"She just has a big heart. She tries to take care of them. It's just too much for her," Hoyt said. "She has health issues. She has her heart in the right place, but she just doesn't have the funds or the means to do it."

Wayside Waifs said the dogs will soon be available for adoption.

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