A woman charged with 118 counts of animal cruelty was taken into custody Monday night.

Donna Lee Bell, 59, of Whiteford, was arrested at her ex-husband's house in Essex in Baltimore County, where more than 40 dogs and cats were found dead at two houses.

Bob Thomas, a spokesman for the Harford County sheriff's office, told The Associated Press that the animals that were still alive were found in varying conditions of health.

Fecal matter was piled more than two feet high in the kitchen and animal control officers found rats among the skeletal remains of some of the dogs. The search warrant was obtained after neighbors complained about the stench emanating from the houses.

Each count of animal cruelty carries a maximum of 90 days in jail and a $1,000 dollar fine.