Michelle Rene Kelley, 63, of Hollywood, is charged in St. Mary’s County District Court with 147 misdemeanor counts of animal cruelty for allegedly failing to provide proper care for animals at a Brown Road property in Hollywood, according to court documents.
The case, filed on May 14, 2026, lists the charge description for each count as animal cruelty: failure to provide, under Maryland Criminal Law 10-604(a)(5). Court records show the offense date as March 5, 2026, and list the case status as open. Kelley is scheduled for a preliminary inquiry at 1 p.m. on June 26, 2026, in Courtroom 2 at St. Mary’s District Court.
According to the charging documents, the case began after Deputy J. Mills of the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office responded on March 9, 2026, to the St. Mary’s County Animal Shelter in California for a reported animal cruelty case involving the Brown Road property. Court documents state that Animal Services Division Manager H. Lampe reported Kelley was known to have a commercial kennel license and to breed dogs, specifically mini poodles, boxers and mini dachshunds.
Animal Control conducted an unannounced commercial kennel inspection at the Brown Road property on March 5, 2026. The application for charges states inspectors reported “deplorable living conditions” and observed dogs housed outside without access to water. The documents allege the living conditions for dogs inside and outside the residence were unsanitary, with a strong odor of urine and feces. Puppies were reportedly housed in kennels with wire-slatted bottoms, some with soiled bedding and limited ventilation.
Court documents allege some dogs were in poor health and had not received medical treatment. Other dogs were reported to lack adequate space and shelter for the number of animals in their enclosures. The formal statement of charges includes counts alleging failures to provide specific dogs with nutritious food, veterinary care, proper drink, proper space and proper shelter.
The charges include allegations involving named dogs such as Yabba Dapple Doo, Heidi, Stoney, Backfire, Backlash, Bri, Galoshes, Oreo McFlurry, Surprize, Aurora, Eclipse and many others. The filed counts also include repeated allegations that dachshunds were not provided proper space. Each listed count carries a stated possible penalty of up to 90 days and/or a $1,000 fine, according to the charging document.
During the March 5, 2026 inspection, court documents say Kelley voluntarily surrendered one female goat and acknowledged to Animal Control that she would be unable to provide farrier care. The goat’s hooves were described as significantly overgrown, affecting the goat’s ability to walk and access food and water. Sixteen additional goats reportedly remained on the property in two pens, standing in thick mud and water and appearing underweight.
The documents also describe concerns involving cows, ducks, tortoises, tarantulas and macaw birds. Animal Control reported a strong odor coming from both inside and outside the property. Kelley was told she failed the inspection and was no longer allowed to sell dogs, according to the application for charges.
A search and seizure warrant was executed on March 10, 2026. Court documents state that authorities seized 71 dogs, 17 ducks, 12 female goats, seven tarantulas, two macaw birds, seven tortoises, four male goats and three cows from the property. The application states that all seized animals remained in the care and custody of Animal Control.
During the search, court documents say Kelley was interviewed after being advised of her rights. The application states Kelley admitted to tail docking and dew claw removal on dogs and said she had been doing so since “1989.” Kelley allegedly said she does it the same way a veterinarian does it, by “cut it and stitch it,” and said she used “dockers, like nail clipper.” Court documents state Kelley confirmed no veterinarian was on scene while she performed those procedures.
Animal Control also reported the ducks were kept in a low coop or run with a significant buildup of feces and shed feathers, a strong odor and water that was not drinkable. The cow pasture was described as filled with thick mud and large pools of standing water with green algae growth. Court documents allege the cows had limited mobility and difficulty reaching hay and water, and that the available water was not drinkable.
The application states the macaw birds were housed indoors in a wire cage with feces and spilled seed buildup and no drinkable water. The tarantulas were reportedly kept in small plexiglass containers, with some containers lacking water and others containing discolored water. One Aldabra tortoise was reported to have no water, no UVA/UVB lamps and no soaking area. Other tortoises identified in the documents as “Columbian Red Foot” and “Burmese Star” tortoises were also alleged to have lacked drinkable water.
The application for charges requested charges involving dogs for failure to provide sufficient food, veterinary care, proper drink, proper space and proper shelter. It also requested livestock-related counts for failure to provide sufficient food, veterinary care, proper drink, proper space and proper shelter, along with counts tied to animals with evidence of alleged violations related to tail docking or dew claw removal.
Kelley was issued a criminal summons. The summons orders her to appear for the June 26, 2026 preliminary inquiry and states that a warrant may be issued if she fails to appear.
