Woman, 30 dogs found in home

Described as disoriented, weak, 76-year-old sent to hospital

A 76-year-old woman found covered in human and animal waste in a Camden home Wednesday afternoon had likely been in her recliner for weeks, authorities said.

Camden Police Department spokesman Dana Wetherbee said 30 dogs also were discovered inside the residence.

Wetherbee said authorities didn’t know how long the woman had been there but that she was lacking food and was low on oxygen. Police believe the woman, whose name was not released, also was having trouble breathing because of conditions inside the house in the 200 block of Tulip Circle.

Authorities arrived at the home after a neighbor called to complain about dogs barking, Wetherbee said. An animal-control officer heard someone inside saying, “I can’t breathe, I need help” and called for backup, according to Wetherbee.

Police said they entered the house, found the woman and called emergency services, who took the woman to Ouachita County Medical Center, where she was in stable condition Thursday afternoon.

Officers who went in the home had to “get right back out” before they became sick as well, Wetherbee said.

Authorities said two of the 30 dogs found in the house were dead. The remaining dogs were taken to the city pound, where they’ll be rehabilitated and given medical care.

No charges have been filed but police will continue to investigate. Authorities are trying to determine if the woman had children or someone responsible for her welfare.

The woman, who was described as “disoriented,” told police that someone had been providing her food every few days.

Wetherbee said that although the house had electricity, there was no air conditioning, no refrigerator and no food in the residence. It was the first time officers had been dispatched to the address, she added.