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TUCSON - Fifty-nine cats and one dog were removed from a Queen Valley home this morning; authorities say nine dead cats were found inside the home.

A male resident was arrested outside the home by Pinal County Sheriff's deputies after making threats to law enforcement and Animal Care and Control officers, according to a news release from Pinal County.

"We exhausted all means of resolving the situation immediately with the residents," Animal Care and Control Director Kaye Dickson said. "We were hoping they would surrender the animals voluntarily, but we ended up having to get a judge to serve a search warrant."

Pinal County Sheriff's Office officials say that Gary Cyphert was arrested on animal cruelty charges, and his wife may also be charged.

The inside of the home was filled with feces and smelled strongly of cat urine, said animal control officers. A trailer on the property was filled with fecal matter, and was in poor condition.

Sergeant Lonnie Buckels, a 20-year veteran of the Pinal County Sheriff's Office, said this was one of the worst cases of animal hoarding he has seen in his career.

"What was very shocking is that we found nine carcasses of deceased cats inside the home," Dickson said. "We were not expecting to see that."

The animals will be kept at the Animal Care and Control shelter on Eleven Mile Corner Road, where they will be examined by a veterinarian. Many of the cats appeared to be in poor physical condition, with disease and illness likely in some, the release states.

This case comes one day after the discovery of 93 dogs hoarded in a double-wide trailer in the Hidden Valley area.

Once the investigation is complete, the County Attorney's Office will determine possible criminal charges. Animal Care and Control can also pursue civil and administrative charges.