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"More than 90 animals were removed from a home in Wilton last week, according to the Maine Animal Welfare Program.State animal welfare officials seized the animals after receiving a complaint about unsanitary conditions at the property.\u201CThe case started with a complaint to animal welfare, and through the course of the investigation, the agent found enough probable cause to initiate the search warrant,\u201D said Liam Hughes, animal welfare director.The seized animals include 75 dogs, 17 birds and \u00A0three chickens. Officials said many of the animals were starved and sick, covered in feces and infested with parasites.All of the animals have been taken to the Franklin County Animal Shelter in Farmington.\u201CFood and water, consistency and attention and some basic medical care has really brought (the animals) around, so they\u2019re playful and interested in interacting, and that\u2019s really heartwarming,\u201D said Heidi Jordan, executive director of the Franklin County Animal Shelter.The shelter has received donations from the community to help care for the dogs but needs more help.\u201CWe brought in three gallons of bleach, eight rolls of paper towels and about 320 pounds of dog food for puppies and adults,\u201D said resident Cindy Cassidy.Cassidy said it\u2019s the least she and her granddaughter, Caitlynn, can do to help those who can\u2019t help themselves.\u201CIt\u2019s our way of giving back, and it\u2019s a great way to teach my granddaughter about giving back to the community, because that\u2019s what it\u2019s all about,\u201D said Cassidy.The affidavit filed by the animal welfare program identified the owner of the seized animals as Nancy Champagne of Wilton.According to the affidavit, crates filled with animals were found in the kitchen and lining the living room walls.Her home had a strong smell of ammonia, court records indicated.The affidavit described unsanitary conditions inside the home and animals that were dirty and unfed.Officials said Champagne is still considered the animals\u2019 owner until the state can prove she shouldn\u2019t be.\u201CIf the majority of the animals are surrendered to us, we want to make sure they get out to the best homes they possibly can, but that\u2019s going to be up to the discretion of the judge,\u201D said Hughes.A court hearing will be held in May to determine what will happen to the animals.9234908"^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
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