A Penticton woman accused of leaving her dogs to , underfed, wet and freezing cold, has been charged with three counts of animal cruelty.

Charges were laid against Joelle Mbamy, 53, for causing unnecessary pain and suffering to an animal, failing to provide necessaries for your animal and causing an animal to continue to be in distress.

On Jan. 23 2017, the South Okanagan SPCA seized three dogs from Mbamy鈥檚 Penticton home.

The multi-month SPCA investigation culminated in the seizure of the three dogs that neighbours said were often left in a tiny cage and could be heard whining in discomfort throughout the night, even in sub-zero temperatures.

鈥淭he owners were never home, they almost never let the dogs out,鈥� said neighbour Laurie Price in January.

鈥淭hey were so skinny you could see their ribs. They would fill up a bucket with food and just throw it in the cage in the morning, on the ground with the feces. Then they wouldn鈥檛 feed them again until the next day.鈥�

One of the dogs was so emaciated it scored a 鈥渙ne鈥� on the canine body conditioning scale of one to nine, denoting severe malnutrition. Five is the ideal number. It was rushed to veterinary care.

The two other dogs are considered a two on the scale or very thin.

All of the dogs had serious ear infections and grade-three dental issues, as well as yeast infections in their paws from walking on feces.

Cruelty Investigation Officer Kathy Woodward confirmed that the dogs were removed from the home with a warrant and that she would be recommending charges against the owner.

Mbamy had her first day in court on March 22 and is expected back before the court on April 26, 2017 to consult legal counsel.