PENN RUN, Pa. -- Humane agents in Indiana County raided a Penn Run home on Thursday, finding dozens of sick animals.

Officials with the Indiana County Humane Society said the family loves its pets but didn’t have enough money to care for them.

For more than a year, the Humane Society provided free food and medical attention to the pets belonging to the Dilts family. But when the animals continued to be neglected, humane agents planned the raid.

Dozens of dogs were found chained to primitive boxes. Others were found inside the home with polluted water and food bowls.

Authorities said cardboard covered the urine on the home's floors.

Cats were found tied to a bedroom wall, and dozens of rabbits were huddled together in dilapidated cages. A starving cow was also discovered on the property, officials said.

"Their financial situation does not allow for that many animals," said Valerie Smith of the Humane Society.

The Dilts family has been charged with 30 counts of animal cruelty.

"We just get fed up with everybody's accusations that we are being cruel to our animals, and we're not," said homeowner Dave Dilts. "These dogs go to the vet and everything else."

Officials with the Humane Society said the pets did go to the vet on the county's dime but were then neglected.

Four pets were removed from the home right away, because they were so ill, officials said. Doctors said microscopic bacteria were attacking their insides.

Since the dogs are still considered the personal property of the Dilts family, the Humane Society said they cannot adopt them out until the courts give the OK.

Authorities said there are still more than 30 dogs on the property. The Humane Society is hoping a judge will allow them to take the dogs to the shelter after a hearing on April 16.

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