Investigators believe two women charged with abusing animals continued to run a secret boarding business from their unsuspecting owners.

Six of those allegedly stolen dogs were found in an abandoned house one week ago and two women face more cruelty and animal theft charges.

Just days after Prince William County (web|news) authorities closed down the Assisi Animal Rescue Organization in May and removed numerous dogs, a neighbor saw something troubling. "I know there was 10 - 15 puppies; big dogs, all kids of dogs," said neighbor Heidi Newbrough.

It appears some of the new arrivals came from loving homes and were not slated for euthenasia. Investigators say after they were charged with animal cruelty for allegedly keeping dozens of dogs in filth and near starvation, Sandra Cortes, 44, and Brenda Dodson, 30, continued to advertise a boarding service on the internet.

After the owners dropped off dogs, Cortes and Dodson apparently hid some of the animals in this abandoned house, reported ABC 7/NewsChannel 8 reporter Stephen Tschida. "This was not an accident. This was calculated by whoever brought the animals in," said neighbor Dennis Padilla.

Several days after Cortes and Dodson were jailed, a construction crew few six dogs in a house, but no water or food. " It was during the height of the heat during the first two weeks of July so it had to be grim," said one neighbor.

Fairfax County (web|news) has returned some of the dogs to their owners. Diamond and her puppy Patches belong to an Iraq (web|news) veteran receiving treatment at Walter Reed Army Medical Center.

"I'm a little more than frustrated and angry," said Sgt. DeAndre Martin, Iraq war veteran. Sgt. Martin is undergoing PTSD treatment at Walter Reed. He thought he was doing the right thing by boarding his two dogs, 14-month-old Diamond and 5-month-old Patches at the rescue foundation.

"They said they were an animal rescue facility, so it sounded good to me." Martin didn't know the facility was the target of the police investigation.

"I was told that Diamond was found living in her own filth and no one deserves that. No animal deserves that and it's devastating," said Donna Caruso, friend of Martin.

Martin arranged for Diamond to be taken care of at a Centreville vet's office, but Patches has never been found. "I'd rather him be sold than be dead. I'd rather never see 'em again than for him to be dead," said Martin. Fairfax County authorities say the two women are not talking about what happened to the puppy.

"If they were a rescue group, they need to be bonded more. More of them need to be bonded and more of them need to be watched," said Caruso. "Actually I just want my dogs back right now. That's what's really keeping me cool. Just want to see my dog. See if he's all right," said Martin.

Kristy Buckly dropped her dog off at a kennel right next door to the former Assisi compound. "It's so cruel and I mean, it is so inhumane to a poor animal to have to suffer like that."

Police do not know how long some of the animals had been under the care of the two suspects. The investigation is ongoing.