66 Animal Cruelty Charges Filed Against Rockville Woman

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ROCKVILLE, MD — A woman arrested on 66 misdemeanor charges of animal cruelty after dozens of dogs were found in her Rockville house reportedly rescued the animals from facilities in the Northeast, running an animal shelter in her home, authorities said.

Investigators told Montgomery Community Media that Katherine Ting Tiong, 47, was charged Wednesday in the case of 66 dogs that were seized Jan. 1 from her Glen Mill Road home.

Each charge carries a penalty of up to 90 days in jail and/or a fine of $1,000. Tiong has bonded out of jail on the charges.

Katherine Zenzano, a spokeswoman for the Montgomery County Animal Services and Adoption Center, told Montgomery Community Media all the dogs are in the legal custody of the shelter and some of the animals are ready for adoption at the shelter in Derwood facility.

Shelter officials said about half of the seized dogs will go to local rescue partners or other regional shelters who can offer the dogs special. Three of the 66 dogs that were seized on New Year’s Day were later euthanized.

A search warrant was executed Jan. 1 at Tiong’s residence on Glen Mill Road one day after animal services officers went to the home about a dog bite report.

According to a news release, three of dogs were in extreme pain from medical ailments and had to be euthanized. Officers said the seized dogs were in various medical and behavioral conditions; some will require special adopters to help the animals cope.

Tiong reportedly told investigators she ran Forever Homes Animal Rescue, Inc. and most of the dogs at her home came from shelters in the Northeastern United States. Most of the dogs were kept in soiled crates, officials said, and were suffering from a variety of ailments in most cases caused by neglect.

Potential adopters may visit the Animal Shelter at 7315 Muncaster Mill Road in Derwood. About 50 of the seized dogs remain at the shelter looking for homes.

»Photos and video from Montgomery County Animal Services and Adoption Center and Montgomery Community Media