ohmidog!

It’s a sad but familiar story – a well-meaning soul starts taking in unwanted animals only to find him or herself overwhelmed by the responsibility.

Such seems to be the case in Adair County, Ky., where hundreds of animals were were found sick, diseased and dying Friday at the Clean Slate animal shelter.

Hundreds of dogs, cats and farm animals were removed from the shelter and the owner, David Howery, was charged with 295 counts of animal cruelty.

“It’s can be difficult to see because his heart might be in the right place, but obviously it becomes overwhelming when too many pets are involved and you have to make sure each pet is cared for properly,” said Michelle Ray with the Kentucky Humane Society.

Howery said he set up his shelter to give rescued animals a temporary home and never thought the animals would have to be rescued from him.

Many of the approximate 300 animals removed were suffering from malnourishment, mange and respiratory problems, officials said.

When sheriff’s deputies raided the shelter, they said they found dead animals, feces and urine contaminating the rooms and disease running rampant.