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A southern Alberta woman charged with cruelty to animals says she has received torture and death threats.

April Dawn Irving, who is 55, said outside provincial court in Lethbridge that it's inhumane the suffering she's in.

RCMP charged Irving after five dogs were found dead on her property in Milk River in January.

Police have said it appears the animals died of starvation.

The Alberta SPCA has seized more than 200 other dogs they say were malnourished and living in terrible conditions.

Irving's case has been adjourned to Friday.

The Alberta Rescue Crew Society helped seize some of the dogs and has called it one of the worst cases of neglect ever.

A society spokeswoman said the dogs were emaciated, dehydrated and with badly matted fur. Some had broken bones, gaping wounds and parasites.

The animals are a mix of huskies, Irish wolfhounds, malemutes and Komondors.

(CJOC, The Canadian Press)

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