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A hearing was held in Jefferson County on Wednesday to determine what to do with the 161 Malamutes taken from a home near Jefferson City last month.

The dogs were reportedly neglected and undernourished by their owner, Mike Chilinski; he's been charged with animal cruelty.

According to County Attorney Matt Johnson, the hearing in Boulder on Wednesday was to discuss the costs associated with the care of the dogs while awaiting the criminal trial.

The dogs are being housed in an undisclosed 10,000 square-foot indoor facility that is expected to cost $11,000 a month to rent, not including food or medical costs.

Donations to care for the animals are expected to run out the first of December.

Chilinski pleaded not guilty to charges last month, shortly after the dogs were removed from his property.

He was also charged with growing marijuana.

The Lewis & Clark Humane Society has created a web page with information about how people can help - visit Project Malamute to learn more.

(October 14, 2011) Mike Chilinski of Jefferson County has been charged with five felonies and one misdemeanor after allegedly operating a puppy mill and a marijuana grow operation in his home.

The Jefferson County Sheriff's office arrested Chilinski on Wednesday after officers discovered more than 140 malamute dogs and 200 marijuana plants at his residence.

The County Attorney is charging Chilinski with three felonies in conjuntion with the marijuana grow operation and two felony animal cruelty charges.

On Thursday, Chilinski pled not guilty to animal cruelty, but is waiting for a public defender to enter his plea on the rest of the charges.

During his court appearance, Chilinski told the judge, "I never sold marijuana to make any profit, I was just trying to make it a slight supplement so I could deal less with the dogs and go by the state rules."

Chilinski explained, "They have been not only my main source of income, but my life and passion for many, many years, and I have veterinarians and other people owning my dogs. I am very confident that animal cruelty is not (a) viable...charge."

He added, "I have shipped dogs for 30 years and have never had an incident. I have dogs in Australia and on every continent."

The judge set Chilinski's bond at $150,000.