ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) – Court documents reviewed by Alaska’s News Source detail the moment Anchorage Police entered an Anchorage residence where 73 animals — including 71 dogs and two birds — were seized last month.
Court records show that 47-year-old Monika Marshall is facing 73 misdemeanor counts of animal neglect and abuse after police say dozens of the animals were found inside her Anchorage residence late last month.
On Wednesday, the front door and windows of Marshall’s residence had been boarded up with a “Notice to Vacate” sign posted, warning the space was unsafe to occupy.
Officers, according to those court documents, observed black liquid with a strong smell of urine and feces while approaching the residence, and observed urine and feces on the walls after entering.
The smell was so overwhelming, the officers reported having to wear gas masks.
Officers also observed a large number of dogs roaming freely, to the point that it made entry into the lower level of the home difficult. Police stated more dogs were found “surging” from cramped and unsanitary spaces.
Marshall was released on her own recognizance on May 23, court records show, with no bail posted.
Alaska’s News Source made several attempts to contact Marshall at various addresses believed to be associated with her or the family but were ultimately unsuccessful.
A neighbor said the issue with multiple barking dogs and intense odor has been a problem they’ve dealt with for 30 years. Within that time, they said they’ve made several calls to animal control.
Alaska’s News Source reached out to animal care to verify whether the residence had been brought to its attention prior to the May seizure but had not yet received a response as of publication.
One neighbor, who asked to remain anonymous, said the smell was often so overwhelming they avoided taking kids outside to play.
Neighbors also said that they were never sure of the exact amount of dogs kept at the house because only three were ever let out in the backyard at a time; however, they knew it was more than three because every time there were different dogs seen in the back.
Anchorage Animal Care and Control said the 71 dogs were found in “unimaginable conditions.”
Following the rescue, the shelter put out an urgent call asking the community for help by adopting or fostering dogs already in the shelter, or donating supplies or money.
“Our shelter is only built to humanely house 60-65 dogs and we currently have 123 placed in the shelter,” the AACC statement read. “Overcrowding increases our chances of a disease outbreak and does not allow animals to have double-sided kennels, which is the standard for humane care in shelters.”
As of the last update, 33 of the 71 rescued dogs from the Anchorage residence remain at the shelter.
See a spelling or grammar error? Report it to web@ktuu.com
Copyright 2025 KTUU. All rights reserved.
This post was originally published on this site be sure to check out more of their content.
