-- From Times Snohomish County reporter Lynn Thompson:

A Gold Bar couple charged with animal cruelty in connection with an alleged puppy-mill operation told an Everett judge today they couldn't afford an attorney and will need a court-appointed lawyer.

Jason Larsen and Serenna Larsen, both 37, made their first court appearance in Everett District Court, telling Judge Roger Fisher they had not seen the charges filed against them. Each are charged with six counts of first-degree animal cruelty. If convicted on all counts, the couple could face 17 to 22 months in prison.

Officials in January seized 155 dogs from the Larsens' Gold Bar house. Officials said many of the dogs were covered in feces, suffering from diseases, and had no water or food. The dogs are being cared for at the Everett Animal Shelter.

The Larsens' home is owned by the daughter of Richard and Marjorie Sundberg, of Mount Vernon, according to county property records. The Sundbergs have been charged with four counts of second-degree animal cruelty after officials found hundreds of dogs in poor condition on their Mount Vernon property.

In all, about 550 dogs were taken from the two locations, many of them diseased and living in filthy conditions, according to officials.