MAGNOLIA, Ohio -- Dozens of exotic animals are in shelters after police seized them from Stark County home.

The animals that are being cared for at an animal sanctuary are owned by two sisters, and one of the sisters is facing animal cruelty chares.

Last week, the sisters complained that someone killed their two bear cubs and that that person may be out to hurt their other animals, so the sisters put several of their pets inside a double-wide trailer home.

The Magnolia police chief investigated the animals and the property.

The women took their pet lion, Brutus, a goat and five puppies to Stump Hill Farm in Stark County.

The owner of Stump Hill said the United States Department of Agriculture and a vet checked over the animals, which have a clean bill of health.

"The animals that we received aren't abused, as far as being cared for mentally or physically," said Stump Hill Farm's Cyndi Huntsman.

But the police chief disagreed and the city of Canton seized the remaining animals the two sisters owned.

The city prosecutor said Melanie Szegedi faces six counts of animal cruelty and that the animals were living in very dirty conditions.

"Horrible, horrible, filthy. There was some food here, not adequate water for the animals outside," said assistant prosecutor Derek McLowry.

Regardless of the animals' conditions, McLowry said he doesn't believe that the owners were trying to harm the animals.

"I don't think she's trying to do this intentionally. I think she cares about animals. She's overwhelmed, she doesn't have the time, resources or ability to take care of these animals. I think she's overwhelmed," he said.

The Canton city prosecutor is allowing Szegedi to turn herself in. The animal cruelty charges are misdemeanors.