23 Charges filed against Yakima dog hoarder

YAKIMA, Wash. -- It's been three weeks since a home on 19th Avenue was raided, and 47 dogs were removed. Just this week, the owner, Evelyn Dauenhauer was served with 23 citations.

The charges include:
- 10 counts of those charges are for animal cruelty
- 9 for possession of a pit bull,
- 1 for not having a pet license
- 1 for keeping animals in a nauseous environment
- 1 for operating a kennel without a license.

If convicted and given the maximum penalty for each charge, Dauenhauer could be fined more than $56,000 and serve up to 11.5 years in jail.

We tried to talk to Dauenhauer, but she didn't want to talk on camera. Off camera, she told us she loves dogs, fed them every day and didn't want to hurt them. The city and humane society tell a very different story.

"We had a number of dogs that had to be put down because of the malnutrition and just the horrid condition they were in," says Interim City Manager, Michael Morales.

The case is now in the hands of city prosecutors who say they are prepared to move forward with this case. Dauenhauer's arraignment is set for May 10, 2012.

"This is inexcusable," says Morales. "Just absolutely, in my opinion, there isn't any excuse for something like this and she can tell it to the judge!"..."  More & video