WHATCOM COUNTY, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – An arrest warrant has been issued for the founder of a local dog rescue who’s accused of mistreating animals.

Court documents state 38-year-old Ashley Georgia of Lynden faces 30 felony counts of first-degree animal cruelty in connection an ongoing investigation. Previous reporting from the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office said that Georgia was from Bellingham.

The the sheriff’s office says it rescued 17 dogs from Pittie Project PNW south of Lynden on Monday, Oct. 5.

The dogs were found living in unsanitary conditions with no access to food or water. Investigators noted that multiple dogs had open wounds and were visibly underfed.

They also say Georgia had received dog food and thousands of dollars in donations to care for the dogs, but the bags of food found at the property appeared to be unused.

13 more dogs had already been taken from the property by concerned volunteers.

The dogs were turned over to the Whatcom Humane Society, which says they are not currently available for adoption or foster.

The sheriff’s office hasn’t offered any information as to Georgia’s current whereabouts due to the ongoing investigation.