A Pittsfield man faces a term of probation on animal neglect charges from the 48 dogs that were living with him.

Michael Dixon was sentenced Friday by President Judge Maureen Skerda on two counts of neglect of animals. The rescue of the animals took place in November 2019 at two properties on Page Hollow Road.

Karen Kolos, executive director and humane officer of Paws Along The River Humane Society, told the Times Observer at the time that numerous complaints concerning the health and living conditions of the dogs led to the seizure.

The list of charges filed against Dixon included details of the scene, according to a prior Times Observer report. A 5-month-old mixed-breed dog named “Pup pup” was living in an outside pen with three adult dogs. The pen had one dog house for shelter. Pup Pup had been attacked and bitten and his paw was swollen, according to the private criminal complaint accompanying the charges.

The complaint also states that “Foxy,” a mixed-breed female, was pregnant and chained inside an outdoor penned area. The dog had been chained for more than nine hours when the temperature was approximately 20 degrees, according to the complaint.

Dixon’s attorney, Tyler Lindquist, said his client is 64-years-old and has no prior record.

“The conditions here are not acceptable,” he acknowledged, but stressed Dixon had “no intent to harm these animals.”

He said his client took in dogs from other people and that the conditions “spiraled” out of control.

Restitution was set at $42,394.44 and Lindquist said he would object to that total and request a hearing on that issue.

“Forty-six dogs is a lot of dogs to think about,” Assistant District Attorney Casey Strickland said, explaining that it took authorities two days and a total of 10 hours to seize the animals.

She said the dogs outside were “chained” and “laying in mud” while the condition for the dogs inside was “almost worse” as they were “living in complete filth.”

Strickland said the conditions were “horrific” and that the “vast and expansive” veterinary care is a large part of the total restitution.

Dixon told the court that he thought it was illegal to have 24 dogs per residence.

“It got away from me,” he said. “I love them all. I’m sorry, your honor.”

“This case shocks the court’s conscience,” Skerda said, highlighting that Dixon was “living in that same squalor.”

“There’s neglect here and grievous neglect,” she said.

Dixon was sentenced to one year probation, $42,394.44 in restitution, $775 in fines and fees, 50 hours of community service and to undergo a mental health evaluation and comply with recommendations on a count of neglect of animals – vet care and 90 days probation and a $300 fine on a count of neglect of animals — shelter/protection.

Skerda said that the probation terms were the maximum penalty.