WELLINGTON, Ohio — A popular Lorain County animal rescue was raided Wednesday for unsanitary conditions, leading to dozens of animals seized. Unleashed Animal Rescue is run by Lily Rose Lee -- formerly known as Michelle Knight -- one of three women saved in the Miracle in Cleveland, where they were trapped and tortured by their captor for 11 years.
Lee told 3News she's confused and devastated after the Friendship Animal Protective League raided her rescue and took 37 animals, including many exotic birds.
"I can't even fathom what happened," she said. "I don't even have any words. All I know is I have a huge hole in my heart."
Friendship APL Executive Director Greg Willey said they had gotten complaints about the operation, and then got a search warrant from Oberlin Municipal Court, executing it with the Lorain County Sheriff's Office.
"These animals were removed because the conditions were very unsanitary," he said. "There was weeks of uncleaned filth on the cage floors."
And he said the animals were dehydrated, with water bowls filled with algae and flies swarming the house.
He emphasized that he's aware and empathetic of Lee's traumatic past, having survived more than decade of torture at the hands of a torturer, but animal welfare is his highest priority.
"We feel for these people that have endured this, but at the end of the day we have to make sure these animals are receiving the care they need, and regardless of the history, it doesn't allow for animals to be neglected or kept in unsanitary conditions or unhealthy conditions," he explained.
Lee believes the animals should not have been taken, saying she loves her animals, though she's "not perfect."
"My rescue is all about giving second chances," she said. "Like God gave me a second chance, I shouldn't be here, but I am and that's because of God and I believe full-heartedly that God is going to guide me through this."
Friendship APL said they've given the case to the Oberlin Municipal Court and Lee will soon face a judge who will decide if she can regain custody of the animals.