MILTON -- Charges will be filed against a Broadway man accused of keeping 17 dogs in his apartment under conditions so appalling officials had to use firefighters' breathing equipment to investigate.

Milton police intend to charge Gary Yannich, who rented the third-floor apartment at 10 Broadway, with cruelty to animals and criminal mischief, as well as several violations of borough ordinances.

Yannich's whereabouts are unknown, police said.

Police and code enforcement officials went to the apartment March 27 after neighbors reported hearing dogs barking in the building.

Officers found piles of feces and urine-soaked carpeting, dogs jammed together in cages, dogs sleeping on empty dog food bags and general filth throughout the two-bedroom apartment.

The dogs were taken to Sunbury Animal Hospital, where they are being cared for. One dog has since died of injuries suffered before it was rescued.

Damage to the apartment, owned by an out-of-town landlord, is estimated at $28,000. Flooring, carpeting and walls, appliances, kitchen cabinets and bathroom fixtures will all have to be replaced before it is again fit for habitation.

Doug Diehl, Milton code enforcement officer, has posted the apartment unfit for human habitation.

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