A Salem woman was sentenced to spend a month in jail after being found guilty of five counts of animal cruelty.

Christine Harris, 54, was convicted of the misdemeanor charges on Wednesday, Jan. 9, in Salem District Court.

She was sentenced to six months behind bars, with five months suspended as long as she stays on good behavior for two years, according to court records.

Harris is also barred from having custody, possession or ownership of any dog for two years. She is appealing her conviction.

Harris was arrested in September for refusing to allow animal control officer Kelly Demers to inspect her trailer at 75 S. Policy St. and pushing a tow truck driver who was there to remove one of two unregistered vehicles on her property.

Harris’ trailer was condemned, and 50 dogs and two birds were removed. Authorities described squalid conditions of the trailer, including urine and *** throughout the dwelling.

Harris was acquitted of shoving the driver, one of two men sent by the trailer park’s owner to take away a pair of unregistered cars.

The driver was there, coincidentally, as Demers was attempting to serve his inspectional search warrant. In court, the charge of refusing to allow his inspection was placed on file without a finding.

Six days before Harris’ trial, the New Hampshire Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, along with five humane organizations, became the owners of the dogs and birds.

The animals had been kept in protective custody for 16 weeks pending the outcome of Harris’ case. They are being put up for adoption.

Brian Lockard, the town’s health officer, determined in September that Harris’ trailer was unfit for habitation and could not be reoccupied until Harris corrected violations.

In a letter to Harris, Lockard noted that a strong odor of urine and *** permeated the trailer, 30 to 40 dogs were in cages and running loose throughout the dwelling, urine and fecal waste were on the floor and walls, water was not available in the bathroom sink, there were numerous flies, a large amount of trash and debris had accumulated, and the residence had damaged floors, walls, ceilings and exposed wiring.

Court records indicate that nine charges of failing to license dogs were dismissed, and four charges of having a dog that was a menace or nuisance were placed on file.