An East Penn Township woman, who kept dozens of Yorkshire terriers in unsanitary conditions on her property, entered guilty pleas to 10 counts of animal cruelty on Tuesday in Carbon County court.

Judge Joseph J. Matika, in accordance with a plea agreement with the district attorney's office, placed Nancy Lou Bullard, 72, of Kittatinny Lane, on three years probation and ordered her to pay a restitution bill of over $13,000.In exchange for the plea to the 10 counts the DA's office dropped 43 counts of cruelty that were filed against Bullard after state police at Lehighton, assisted by other agencies, removed 53 dogs from her property in January.The dogs were taken to local animal rescues where they were treated for various skin conditions.On Jan. 6, state police, acting on an anonymous tip, removed the 53 dogs - Yorkshire Terriers and Yorkie/Shih Tzu mixes - from Bullard's property.Troopers said the dogs were kept in unsanitary conditions inside two dwellings and two makeshift kennels located on the property.Police said they found approximately 30 dogs in her home, with 10 locked in a bedroom, and the rest in cages or roaming the house. Those dogs allegedly had matted hair, and reportedly had fleas and skin conditions.Inside another residence on the property they found nine dogs in a basement - some in cages, and some roaming freely. Those dogs also had matted hair and fleas.Thirteen more dogs were kept outside in dilapidated cages that provided little to no shelter in the winter conditions.All the dogs smelled of urine and feces.In their application for a search warrant state police said the animals were kept in insufficient conditions to protect them against inclement weather and appeared to have long, matted and wet hair.Defense attorney Stephen P. Vlossak Sr. said his client was having a hard time dealing with the death of her son.He said she began accepting dogs from anyone who would drop them off. He added, "She became overwhelmed."He added, "She got caught up in something but never had any bad intentions."Vlossak said Bullard has mental health issues and was addressing them with regular counseling.Matika asked Bullard if she had anything to say, and she responded, "No, just that I'm sorry."Matika also asked Vlossak about a part of the plea agreement which states she can keep the four dogs she currently has. Matika wondered, "What if one or more dies, can she replace them or not."Vlossak said he felt the agreement meant she was only allowed the four dogs she has now and not be able to get new ones if any died.Matika ordered total restitution of $13,425.53 which is spread among six organizations including Rush Veterinary Clinic, Berks Animal Hospital, Pocono Peak Veterinary Center, Creature Comforts Veterinary Clinic, Animal Shelter of Carbon, and Blakeslee Animal Clinic.Bullard must also render 50 hours of community service, pay court costs of about $1,000 and pay a $50 per month supervision fee while on probation.