On top of that, the dogs had never spent the night inside the house. New environment + puppies = potential problems. It also seems the parents didn't care much about anything. The house was in such poor condition that it was condemned. Raw sewage being pumped out a window? Come on, these people lived like animals.
"James Jonathan Martin, 28, 6026 Whaleyville Blvd.; white male, 5 feet 8 inches, 145 pounds; felony driving after declared habitual offender, reckless driving and felony hit and run."
http://www.hamptonroadsmedia.com/articles/2004/09/03/news/news4.txt