When maintenance man Robert Jones was finally allowed into the rental property off Hanson Drive in Eagle River on Saturday, the broken pipe he came to fix was a minor problem compared to what he found in the home.

"It was horrible in there, it was horrendous, you would not believe it," Jones said. "Kennels were stacked to the ceiling with 4 inches of poop in places."

About 35 dogs were in the home, most of them in the kennels. Along with the dogs were multiple cages of parakeets, Jones said.

Anchorage Police arrested two residents of the home and charged them with two counts each of animal cruelty.

Police spokesman Lt. David Parker identified them as Daniel Hoffman, 50, and Lester Mendez, 46.

Animal control officers, a public health official and police officers ferried the dogs and birds to the city's animal shelter Saturday night.