ADAMS TWP — A township woman has been charged with disorderly conduct and animal abuse after authorities discovered nine dangerously neglected dogs in her residence.

Police charged Renee Lerch in April after finding the dogs living in bad conditions in her house on Broadstone Drive.

Police found nine severely neglected dogs and a tenth that had died days earlier.

Lerch’s future daughter-in-law, Heather Kelly, alerted police that there was a dead dog that needed to be removed.

“It was determined that the animals located inside the residence were living in deplorable conditions and needed (to be) removed immediately,” Det. Mike Bailey, Adams Township Police, said in an affidavit.

Upon entering the residence and clad in protective masks and gloves, the officers found nine dogs still alive, covered in feces, urine and vomit. The dogs had unclipped nails making it difficult for them to walk and overgrown fur.

The residence was in a similar state, buried in excrement and garbage bags.

“Both Sgt. Lenz and Off. Bodt attempted to enter the basement, but the smell of urine and feces was so overpowering they were unable to do so,” Bailey said.

Officers ultimately found three of the nine dogs in the basement in a cage.

Police were unable to find proper documents detailing the animal’s vaccines and medication, or lack thereof, but they did find some medication which they do not believe was being given to the animals as needed.

A veterinarian from the Good Shepherd Veterinary Hospital on Fox Trot Road came to assess the animals at the scene and took the nine dogs to his clinic to start treatments until they were taken to the Butler County Humane Society shelter by dog officer Dennis Seibert.

Lerch is charged with one count of disorderly conduct and 31 counts of cruelty to animals. Baily is also recommending Lerch be prohibited from owning animals for 90 days per count.