A Hebron woman charged with a felony count of neglect of a dependent in July now faces 18 felony counts of animal neglect in a related case that includes 17 dogs and a horse, according to court records.
Animal control officers, according to charging documents for Linda Humphris, 68, found 17 Lhasa Apsos in an enclosed area “with a build-up of fecal matter” that they were tracking through the home, and an “extremely emaciated” horse named Gypsy.
The animal control officers told police, according to the charges, that “the odor of ammonia was so strong they could hardly stay inside the residence for more than 30 seconds at a time.”
Deputies with the Porter County Sheriff’s Department contacted animal control about an animal well-being check at the home of Humphris, after police visited the residence on July 11 in a neglect of a dependent case and had concerns about the condition of the residence, according to the charges.
Animal control officers told police that they observed 17 Lhasa Apsos “being contained in small caged-in areas inside the residence,” according to the charges.
“Inside the enclosed areas there was a build-up of fecal matter that the canines had been stepping in and tracking throughout the area,” charges state.
The dogs, according to the charges, had dirty water and their fur was stained with urine and feces. Humphris “could not specify how many animals were in the home when asked.”
Animal control officers also saw a horse named Gypsy “who appeared extremely emaciated,” documents state. The horse’s veterinarian told officers she had not seen the horse since 2024.
Also considered in the charges, according to the documents, was that the neglect took place in front of children.
Humphris was taken into custody Sunday morning, according to jail records. Her bond was set at $10,000 cash.
Humphris and Roger Humphris, 70, were charged in July with felony neglect of a dependent after police found a filth-filled home with 22 dogs and two children in it, according to charging documents in that case.
Police found two children, whom Richard and Linda Humphris have custody of, living in filth with 22 dogs, according to the charges.
The dogs, records said, “had urinated and defecated throughout the residence, posing a health risk to Child Victim 1 and Child Victim 2.” Police said there were numerous flies throughout the home and Child Victim 2 “was barefoot, resulting in feces sticking to their bare feet,” according to the documents.
Police also said there was dog excrement in both of the children’s bedrooms, according to the documents.
