A Havre De Grace woman will attend mental health court after police rescued over 100 Havanese dogs from her residence last August.

Deborah Heydt, 77, was found guilty on one count of failing to provide an animal with proper care during a hearing in Harford County District Court on Feb. 11.

Her attorney, Douglas Phillips, said there is a “rigorous evaluation process” for mental health court.

“[Heydt] has experienced significant health and psychological issues,” Phillips wrote. “Special dockets like mental health court are appropriate when the greatest benefit would come from the rehabilitation aspect.”

Heydt pleaded not guilty with an agreed statement of facts, but Judge David E. Carey ruled there was grounds for a guilty verdict on one count. If she completes the mental health diversion program, the matter will not go on her record as a conviction.

The mental health court is a specialized docket within Harford’s District Court that uses individual treatment plans and judicial oversight to “address the mental health needs of offenders,” according to the judiciary’s website. The goal of these courts is to address the “underlying problems” that contribute to the criminal behavior.

“We’re here to help,” Carey said during the hearing. “There are going to be a lot of appointments, a lot of work that’s required on your part [and] a lot of resources for you to help your situation. It’s important that you use those.”

While neighbors in the quiet Havre de Grace neighborhood would occasionally hear a bark, it came as a shock when animal control removed 111 dogs from Heydt’s residence on the morning of Aug. 27.

The nonprofit Humane World for Animals provided veterinary exams and care for the 111 Havanese dogs rescued from a Havre de Grace house on Aug. 27. (Humane World for Animals/Courtesy)
The nonprofit Humane World for Animals provided veterinary exams and care for the 111 Havanese dogs rescued from a Havre de Grace house on Aug. 27. (Humane World for Animals/Courtesy)

The removal followed several check-ins from animal control, according to charging documents. Police charged Heydt with 101 counts of failing to provide for an animal.

The Humane World for Animals, who assisted in the rescue effort, called the situation a “puppy mill.” Phillips called that description “inaccurate.”

“Mrs. Heydt was very attached to the dogs and spent virtually all her time and money trying to care for them, to the exclusion of caring for her own basic needs,” Phillips said. “In her mental state, it was difficult to for Mrs. Heydt to reach out for help or accept help.”

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