Flipping through pictures of an Orchard Beach home where 21 dogs lived with their owners in deplorable conditions, a District Court judge yesterday found himself almost speechless.

"I am rarely at a loss for words," Judge Robert C. Wilcox said. "But I have never, ever, ever seen a picture of a more filthy or more disgusting house. Caves are cleaner than this."

During a hearing in Annapolis, Wilcox told Pasadena residents Janet Taylor and her son, Jeffrey, that he could send them to jail - but that would be too good for them.

"Putting you people in jail would be treating you better than these...