MADISON, AL (WAFF) -
A Madison couple pleaded guilty to animal cruelty charges in city court Friday morning.
James and Patricia Lin pleaded guilty to two counts each of the 47 charges they face for hoarding dogs in their home.
Madison Police found 85 dogs in the couple's home on Crestview Drive on June 14th. Only 38 of the animals survived.
The Lins were ordered to pay $1,772 in fees and court costs, and $1,500 in donations to animal rescue organizations that helped care for the surviving dogs.
Madison Animal Rescue Foundation and The Ark will receive $500, All American Daschund and Madison Small Paws will receive $200 and Madison Pet Hospital will get $100 of the donation money.
The couple will not face jail time.
"At their age and with their health conditions, it's not going to do the city any good or do them any good to place them in jail," said Lt. Terrell Cook.
Meanwhile, the Madison Animal Rescue Foundation faces high vet fees accrued from preparing the dogs for adoption.
MARF director Miki Bennett said the cost of spaying, neutering and vaccinating the dogs cost her $7,000.
"This month we're not expecting them to be a whole lot lower because of all the animals we've had to take in," Bennett said.
The animal rescue organizations took care of the dogs and rehabilitated many of them. Several have been adopted and more are still on the road to recovery. Rescuers said they are working with the dogs to make sure they are healthy enough to be adopted.
Lt. Cook said the Lins are staying at an undisclosed location while their home on Crestview Drive is repaired and cleaned out.
The remaining 45 charges are suspended until January 10 when the couple is due back in Madison City Court.
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Some of the dogs rescued from the Lin home on Crestview Drive.
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