Arizona woman arrested for animal cruelty over ‘shocking’ conditions

PHOENIX – An Arizona woman was arrested Tuesday after more than 50 animals were discovered living in her home in “horrifying, shocking” conditions, authorities said.

Stacy Hembree, 50, of Cordes Lakes, faces animal cruelty charges following an investigation by the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office Animal Control unit.

After a warrant was served, 54 live animals were transported to the local humane society: 28 cats, 20 dogs, four guinea pigs and two rabbits.

Two dead cats and a dead guinea pig were also found in the residence, which Hembree had recently moved into after being evicted because of animal issues at another nearby home, the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office said in a press release.

A release called the conditions “cruel, deplorable, horrifying, shocking and very disheartening.”

The scene included cramped kennels overflowing with feces and urine and a lack of water and food, with an “almost unbearable” putrid odor, according to the release.

Hembree was not home when the animals were seized. She was arrested when she appeared at a justice court for a case involving previous animal cruelty charges.

She was released from the Camp Verde Detention Center with the promise that she appear in court.

Cordes Lakes is about 65 miles north of downtown Phoenix, off Interstate 17.

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