STERLING HEIGHTS, Mich. -- The owner of Lornich Kennels has been officially charged with three counts of animal cruelty after police and volunteers rescued about 60 dogs, 7 cats and one horse from her kennel back in April.

Lorri Nichiow-Brubaker, 49, is accused of neglecting animals at her kennel located at 15 Mile and Mound roads in Sterling Heights. Rescue workers said many of the dogs were matted with feces, infected and some had ruptured anal glands. Most of the animals were malnourished and dehydrated.

Most of the animals have been nursed to health and are now up for adoption.

Court documents showed hundreds of complaints and lawsuits were filed over the years against Nichiow-Brubaker.

Nichiow-Brubaker was investigated in 2004 after animal control found the kennel overcrowded. They said they also found unclean cages, some animals without drinking water and animals shivering.

Macomb County Prosecutor Eric Smith commended veterinarians and other rescue organizations for their assistance and care for the animals.

"The owner will be held accountable for her actions. However, our immediate concern is ensuring that these neglected pets can be immediately placed into loving homes and that the owner never again be allowed to own or operate a kennel," Smith said.

Local 4 also learned Nichiow-Brubaker was convicted of animal cruelty and her license was suspended in 2005.

Both the Attorney General’s Office and the Better Business Bureau said they received dozens of complaints over the years.

“In my opinion, it was just the worst I’ve ever seen,” said former animal control officer Ann Marie Rogers.

Rogers first investigated Lornich Kennels in 2005. She said animals were stuffed in small cages, some were injured and most of them lived in deplorable conditions.

Police called in a veterinarian, Oakland County Animal Control, the Michigan Humane Society and a volunteer group called All About Animals to help them sort out the many pets in need of medical attention.

All About Animals took about 20 of the dogs to a boarding facility in Clinton Township, where they cleaned them up, nursed them back to health and then adopted them out, police said.

All About Animals have the rescued pets up for adoption on their Web site.

When Local 4 first aired the story in April, Nichiow-Brubaker refused to go on camera. She denied any accusations of cruelty and neglect.

If convicted, she could spend two years in jail.

To see pictures of the pets up for adoptions click here.