COLUMBIA, Md. -- Howard County animal control officers have filed criminal charges against two women living in a house where 75 cats were seized last month.

Authorities said all of the animals impounded were very sick or already dead.

Ayten Icgoren, 78, and Nese Enetullah Icgoren, 50, both from the 7300 block of Swan Point Way in Columbia, each were charged in a summons over the weekend with 225 counts of animal cruelty and neglect.

Animal control officers began an investigation in early August after receiving numerous citizen complaints about a suspicious odor coming from the Icgoren home.

Officers served a search warrant at the house Aug. 10 and seized the cats. The residents were not home at the time the warrant was executed, police said.

Authorities said that of the 75 cats, 58 were found alive but in critical condition. Seventeen were found dead.

The surviving cats were taken to a local veterinarian, who determined that 50 were in such poor condition that they would have to be euthanized.

According to authorities, the remaining eight cats all suffered from malnutrition, viral infections and other illnesses. Five have since died. The surviving three are still in poor condition.

Police say both Icgoren women face 75 counts of inflicting unnecessary suffering and pain, as well as 75 counts of failure to provide proper care for the cats.

The women face an additional 75 misdemeanor counts of violating the Howard County animal cruelty code.

Under the law, they could be ordered to undergo psychological counseling.