LEE COUNTY, Fla.- Lee County Sheriff's detectives arrested two people on charges of animal cruelty and abandonment after seizing more than 70 animals from the Buckingham area property where they lived.

The Sheriff's Office says James Cullen and Shannon Kraham left some of the animals to "simply starve to death".

Disgusting, horrific and sad were the words used by a detective working the case to describe the condition the dogs, cats, rabbits and chickens were living in.

In perhaps the most gruesome detail of the case, investigators say they found a dead kitten and a dead puppy in a freezer stored on the property. There are no answers as to why.

The investigation started last week after a complaint was called in to Lee County Animal Services.

Officers with LCAS went to the Jackson Road home and after gathering statements from neighbors, turned over the investigation to the Lee County Sheriff's Office on Thursday.

An investigation revealed Cullen and Kraham were working with the "ringleader" of 'My Best Friends Incorporated', an animal rescue mission. The "ringleader" has not been officialy identified.

According to detectives, the "ringleader" would go to shelters across the state and pick up animals, promising to find them good homes.

However, it was revealed the animals were sold as a profit.

The others that could not be sold were allegedly turned over to the Jackson Road property which the "ringleader" called "the farm".

Detectives say Cullen and Kraham told them they cared for the animals in exchange for room and board.

They are now accused of leaving the animals they could not sell, to starve.

Lee County Animal Services is now caring for the 53 dogs, 28 cats, 1 rabbit and 2 chickens.

We are told a few more animals are in the care of another animal clinic because they are so sick.

Detectives tell WINK News additional suspects have been identified and more arrests are pending.

The investigation is ongoing.