This is the moment police rescued 61 dogs and cats from a home in Velez-Malaga, where some were locked inside kitchen cupboards in complete darkness.

A 53-year-old woman was arrested after neighbours reported constant barking and meowing and a strong smell coming from the property.

Inside, Policia Nacional officers found 29 dogs and 32 cats living in overcrowded, filthy conditions. Many were sick, malnourished and dehydrated.

Several animals subsequently died despite emergency veterinary treatment.

According to police, most had bloody diarrhoea, hair loss or eye problems. Diseases identified included leishmaniasis, parvovirus, giardiasis and mange.

Several dogs required hospital admission for assisted feeding and intensive treatment. One of the rescued cats had completely lost its sight.

Police said a particularly aggressive parvovirus infection also spread to other animals.

Investigators believe the woman collected dogs and cats from the street and accumulated them without adequate care at a property belonging to her mother, who is in her 80s.

Some animals had microchips and may have been missing pets.

The suspect is being investigated over alleged prolonged animal cruelty, with possible aggravating circumstances involving deliberate suffering and the deaths of animals.

Police are also examining the possibility of compulsive animal hoarding, sometimes called ‘Noah syndrome’, although no diagnosis has been confirmed.

Velez-Malaga town hall helped with the operation and covered the cats’ emergency veterinary costs, while shelters across Malaga province took in the rescued animals.

Those that have recovered remain in their care.

Police have appealed for adopters to offer them homes, particularly the cats, which typically attract fewer adoption requests than dogs.

Read more Andalucia news at the Spanish Eye.