According to the Chautauqua County Humane Society, Maureen Ryan of Busti was charged with 31 counts of animal cruelty after investigators found that numerous dogs were being housed in poor and unsanitary conditions back in December.

Ryan accepted a guilty plea late last week, requiring her to turn 26 Collies to the Humane Society, and prohibiting her from breeding animals for one year.

Five dogs were returned to Ryan, but will be frequently inspected by local police.

The 26 collies turned over to the Society have been cleared for adoption.