PETA, the well known, some would say notorious, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, has stepped into the animal cruelty case involving Tana Naas, from whom dozens of animals were seized nearly a year ago.

As many as 68 small dogs were living in what was apparently appalling squalor at Naas' Pahrump home. The case has been continued repeatedly and is scheduled to be heard in Justice Court early tomorrow (Thursday).

PETA has suggested that Naas may be in need of psychiatric help as much as she may deserve prosecution. The organization has appealed to Nye County District Attorney Robert Beckett to "appropriately prosecute" Naas and, if she is convicted, "ensure that Naas ... is banned for life from owning animals."

Beckett was not available Tuesday to comment on PETA's letter.

PETA also asked that, if Naas is convicted, any animals now in her custody should be immediately seized.

The Sept. 19 letter from Stephanie Bell, a PETA animal cruelty caseworker, related news reports from the time of the animal seizure, which described dogs confined to cat-size cages, a dog which had nearly amputated one of its own legs, and animal feces up to a foot deep.

According to an unidentified rescuer, "His leg was hanging by just a narrow thread, and it was full of maggots, and if you held him, the maggots would fall on the floor."

Naas' two grandchildren were apparently at home in the same dwelling and were reportedly taken into protective custody.

Bell told Beckett Naas may be an "animal hoarder," or someone who obsessively accumulate animals. If Naas is convicted, Bell said, she should undergo a psychiatric evaluation followed by counseling.

"Naas appears to be incapable or unwilling to provide the most basic care to animals," Bell wrote. "Experts agree that dementia and other mental health disorders may be at play in many hoarding cases and that, upon conviction, only carefully considered sentencing and probationary conditions can preclude the otherwise inevitable recurrence of these crimes."