Associated Press - November 20, 2009 7:05 PM ET

LAS CRCUES, N.M. (AP) - A Mesilla couple has pleaded no contest to more than 100 counts of animal cruelty.

Lester Boyse and Carol Boyse were indicted last year on 55 felony counts of extreme cruelty to animals and 52 misdemeanor counts of cruelty to animals. They entered their pleas in early November.

Prosecutors say the couple face at least five years' probation or a maximum of 106 years in jail. Sentencing has not been scheduled.

Mesilla authorities went to the couple's home in August 2008 about a report of a dead horse on their property. Officials found about 100 cats inside the home, four dead cats inside a freezer, and five horses, two goats and other animals on the property.

Carol Boyse told investigators she was trying to find homes for the cats.

Information from: Las Cruces Sun-News, http://www.lcsun-news.com

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