Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office responded last week to two anonymous tips that a woman living in the 15000 block of Sage Drive was hoarding numerous cats in her residence.

The tips proved to be correct – the homeowner was charged with 18 counts of animal cruelty.

Sheriff’s animal crimes deputies had been to the home before and warned the owner to reduce the number of cats she was keeping.

Deputies returned Aug. 5 and asked to see the condition of the cats and were taken aback by what they found.

The homeowner was identified by MCSO as Sharon Anne Weber. They also stated she was a cat rescue volunteer and recently had at least 50 cats inside her residence. Deputies found nine cats at the home on Tuesday, according to Sheriff Joe Arpaio.

Arpaio said during the two previous visits deputies left warnings telling Weber she was keeping too may cats.

Animal crimes deputy Dave Evans, who has responded to numerous homicides and meth labs in his 15-year law enforcement career, said what he saw and smelled at Weber’s house was unlike anything he has ever seen.

“The stench from the cat urine and feces was so unbearable, we considered calling a hazmat team to clear the area,” Evans said.

“It was far worse than any homicide scene I’ve investigated. When we walked through the house, we were walking through literally two feet of feces.”

Deputies did call the Fountain Hills Fire Department for assistance with the call. Firefighters set up equipment to ventilate the home. Assistant Fire Chief Dave Ott said there was no health risk to the neighborhood.

Ott said an ambulance did transport Weber to the hospital last week for a medical condition, but he declined to comment further.

Town officials said a code enforcement officer was present at the scene, but took no action, allowing MCSO to handle the situation.

Sheriff’s Capt. Dave Letourneau reported most of the cats they found in the house were in good condition and would be put up for adoption. Arpaio said Weber was booked on 18 counts of animal cruelty, and the cats are now in the care of MCSO.