HENRY COUNTY, Ga. -- Police are meeting with prosecutors to discuss possible charges against the residents of a Henry County home where dozens of animals, dead and alive, were found Tuesday.

Complaints by neighbors led police to the home on Glen Devon Road where 15 cats, including a litter of newborns, and 3 dogs were living in filthy conditions, animal control officers said.

There was also a stench so powerful, and so much ammonia placed in the home to cover the stench, an animal control officer was taken to the hospital after having an allergic reaction to the ammonia.

“The floors are completely covered in trash or fecal matter, garbage dishes, you name it--it's very difficult to even move around inside,” said Henry police Capt. Jason Bolton.

Hazmat crews were called in after the fumes became too much for animal workers.

Police said the homeowner surrendered all but one of the dogs.

Marcel Chrisman lives down the street from the home and said she had never been in her neighbor's home, so she's shocked at what was discovered.

"I've been trying to call her," Chrisman said. "I know she's not doing good."

One neighbor said there has been a foul odor coming from the home for the past six years and that they had seen a number of animals on the property.

The husband had nothing to say to reporters Tuesday evening and his wife was nowhere to be found. Police later contacted the woman and said they are trying to convince her to talk to investigators.

"I just know her love for animals," Chrisman said. "So maybe she was just blind-sighted, trying to do too much."

Animal control experts said it sounds like a textbook case of animal hording, a mental illness that can best be helped with counseling.

"I just want her to get help," Chrisman said. "I hope she gets some of her main pets back because I know she had a few favorites."

Despite the smell, the Henry County Health Department chose not to condemn the house, and the couple will be allowed to return.