WFAA-TV

The SPCA picked up 204 animals from the East Texas home.

WFAA-TV

A tarantula, hissing cockroaches and lizards were among those animals rescued.

MCKINNEY - The Collin County SPCA took over 204 animals that were rescued Wednesday from an East Texas couple's home.

An odd assortment of animals, which included 68 dogs and cockroaches, lizards, spiders, cockatoos, an African gray parrot and horses big and small, were taken from the couple's property located just outside of Marshall.

Many of the animals were clearly malnourished and all were neglected.

"Urine and feces [were] everywhere," said Maura Davies, SPCA. "The ammonia scent was so strong that when I left the building, my throat and nose were burning. I was coughing. I don't know how humans, or animals, lived in that doublewide trailer."

Harrison County Sheriff's deputies said the land itself wasn't enough to house such a large assortment of animals. They also said that most of those animals were found living inside the couple's doublewide trailer.

"The sheer variety of species on the property is something the SPCA of Texas hasn't seen before," Davies said.

Davies said many of the animals need special care, including one bearded dragon that she said requires two lights, one for the day and another for the night.

"Bearded dragons, tarantulas, hissing cockroaches, these animals really do need a sanctuary environment to have the best sort of home going forward," she said.

The judge ordered that the couple not be allowed to own any type of animal for at least one year. The couple also faces animal neglect charges and an $8,000 fine that will help the SPCA care for the animals.

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