Sign: Former AKC Breeder Charged After 36 Border Collies Found Living In ‘House of Horrors’

Published: August 18, 2026 at 05:00 PM Author: Animal Welfare Investigative Writer & Petition Author

Palm City, Florida – On August 10, following a lengthy investigation, Martin County Sheriff’s Department deputies executed a search warrant at a house in the 1200 block of Southwest Alligator Street in Palm City, Florida. Behind the home’s pristine facade were conditions so squalid that deputies had to wear Tyvek protective clothing to rescue 36 Border Collies who were living in 62-year-old Paige O’Donnell’s filthy house of horrors.

O’Donnell, reported to be a former American Kennel Club breeder, claimed she had only five dogs, but investigators found dozens of heavily matted dogs who were living in feces, urine, and debris.

AT A GLANCE

36 Border Collies seized from filthy Palm City home on August 10, 2026.
Paige O’Donnell, 62, is facing 72 total charges, including 36 felony counts of animal cruelty and 36 misdemeanor counts for failing to provide proper exercise or air to the animals.
Seized dogs taken to Humane Society of the Treasure Coast for grooming and care.
O’Donnell made her first court appearance on August 11, where a judge set bond at $275,000 and prohibited her from owning or possessing animals. Additional court proceedings are pending.

The conditions at O’Donnell’s home have been a concern for years. According to the affidavit, there were nearly two dozen reports made to Martin County Sheriff’s Office Animal Services between 2020 and 2026.

A graphic of the investigation through O’Donnell’s arrest below.

The wall-to-wall filth took a clear toll on the dogs forced to live in O’Donnell’s house. Martin County Sheriff John Budensiek said, “Quite frankly, some of these dogs are almost unrecognizable as they pull them out.”

Adding:

“She is a calculated animal abuser, she’s not just some crazy lady who just happened to keep more dogs than she should have.”

Budensiek told FOX13, “I’m sad that they live like that for a period of time… Anger really pops to the surface first for me because she knew better. She knew what she was doing and there’s multiple people that have tried to help her. The Humane Society tried to help her. DCF tried to help her. Martin County Sheriff’s Office tried to help her. Not only did she deny the help, but she… On purpose kept these dogs trapped in this jail that she has behind us and abused them for lack of a better word.”

The police have investigated this case and the results of their investigation led to O’Donnell’s arrest and multiple charges. Now we need your signatures urging the court to impose the maximum sentence permitted by law if Paige O’Donnell is convicted. Please add your name today to hold this woman accountable for the suffering she caused these innocent dogs.

Decision Maker: Office of the State Attorney for Florida’s 19th Judicial Circuit

Our Demand

We demand that Paige O’Donnell be held fully accountable for the cruelty and neglect suffered by the 36 Border Collies rescued from her home. These dogs were found living in horrific, unsanitary conditions, covered in feces and urine and desperately in need of care. Given the years of documented animal-welfare concerns at this residence, we also demand that the court address the underlying issues that may have contributed to this situation. O’Donnell should receive a comprehensive mental-health evaluation and any treatment deemed necessary by qualified professionals. She must also be permanently prohibited from owning, breeding, or possessing animals if permitted under law. These dogs deserve justice, lifelong protection, and the chance to finally know what it means to be safe.

Animal Protection Laws of Florida