TROY – A married city couple admitted in court Thursday that they allowed animals to live in filth at their Campbell Avenue home.

Originally accused of hoarding 101 animals, David and Michelle Hempstead pleaded guilty in City Court Thursday to 17 misdemeanor counts of injuring an animal under the state Agriculture and Markets law, according to the Rensselaer County District Attorney's Office.

They face up to two years in jail when they are sentenced Aug. 1 by Judge Christopher Maier, prosecutors said.

Michelle Hempstead still faces two additional charges of selling or offering to sell or exposing a disease animal.

“The district attorney’s office did not enter into any plea negotiations with the defendants which could have led to the defendants’ decision to plea to the entire docket pending before the Court. Michelle Hempstead’s remaining cases are still pending before the Court and are proceeding towards trial,” the prosecution’s release stated.

The Hempsteads were arrested in December when city police went to their home at 92 Campbell Ave. The officers discovered the animals encrusted in feces, infested with fleas and worms, and suffering hair loss from scratching. Authorities took 38 dogs, 38 cats, six ferrets, 18 birds and a hedgehog to the Mohawk Hudson Humane Society in Menands.

Many of the animals were adopted, city police said previously.

A group of animal rights activists organized as a group called Justice for the Hundred has protested outside the City Court building when the Hempsteads have appeared in court.

District Attorney Mary Pat Donnelly commended Det. Sgt. John Keeler, Det. Sgt. Randall French, the Mohawk Hudson Humane Society and Chief Assistant District Attorney Matthew Hauf for their work on the case.