Duo From Rescue Operation Faces Animal Cruelty Charges

Cortes said those dogs had arrived very recently in poor condition and died within hours, before they could be seen by a vet.

"I grew up as a child burying dogs in the back yard," she said, adding that animal control officials told her she should have put the dogs "in the garbage."

Of the animals surrendered to the county, about 60 were adopted and several dogs were euthanized after being seen by a veterinarian, Newsome said.

Necropsies on the euthanized and exhumed dogs revealed that they suffered malnourishment and parasitic infections before they died, police said. According to court records, the dogs included pit bulls, collies and shepherd mixes.

The foundation, on its Web site www.assisisrescue.org, states: "We are a rescue group of volunteers trying to help a few lost souls find their way home. We are named for the Patron Saint of Animals, Saint Francis of Assisi. Just as St. Francis, we would like to give hope, love and shelter to a few of God's creatures."

Staff researcher Madonna Lebling contributed to this report.