WALKER — A Walker woman is facing dozens of animal cruelty charges after police found cats and kittens dead and in distress inside a local business.

Walker Police responded to a complaint of possible animal cruelty at a business called Waffles Way Home, located at 9384 Florida Blvd., around 12:30 p.m. on Saturday. When they arrived, they found an open door and conducted a welfare check inside.

Inside, officers found a large number of deceased cats and kittens along with others in obvious distress. The animals had no food or water and the temperature inside the building was near 100 degrees.

Walker Animal Control was called to the scene, and volunteers from Rescue, Rehome & Repeat along with representatives from the Denham Springs Animal Shelter also responded to help care for the animals needing medical attention.

Of the 37 cats and kittens found, 20 survived and 17 died.

Detectives identified Madison Rebecca Colello, 29, of Walker as the person believed to be responsible for Waffles Way Home and the animals inside. A warrant was issued for her arrest, charging her with 37 counts of animal cruelty and 17 counts of aggravated animal cruelty.

Colello surrendered herself at the Livingston Parish Detention Center Thursday morning and was booked with bond set at $74,000. 

"The cats and kittens allegedly the responsibility of Ms. Colello obviously suffered a terrible fate," Walker Police Chief David Addison said in a prepared statement. "The number of animals affected by the cruelty is heartbreaking. Our department intends to send a clear message that this kind of abuse will not be tolerated in Walker."

The case remains under investigation.