BLOOMINGDALE, Ga. (WTOC/Gray News) – A woman in Georgia is facing charges for allegedly leaving 12 dogs at her home alone for weeks, with nine of them dying.
Sarah Gonzales, 40, was arrested and is facing three counts of cruelty to animals, nine counts of aggravated cruelty to animals, reckless conduct and obstruction of law enforcement officers.
She was indicted last week and is due in court on Thursday.
Authorities say the animals were left in horrendous conditions in a home on 130 Pine Road.
According to the Effingham County Sheriff’s Office, nine of the dogs starved to death after they were abandoned at the home for several weeks.
Animal control officers said they were appalled by the conditions they walked into: feces, trash, and debris were lining the inside of the home.
“It was disgusting. I mean, when you opened the door to the house, the odor would burn your lungs,” Effingham County Sheriff’s Office Sgt. Leslie Cash said.
Deputies said they first responded to the home for a dog running loose. But once they got inside, humane enforcement said things took a turn.
“We found that there were at least two adult dogs that were deceased in the living room. Also, there were seven puppies in the house, along with those two adult dogs, that were deceased,” Cash said. “It was heartbreaking.”
While Gonzales waits at the Effingham County Jail, the three surviving puppies are alive and well at the county’s animal shelter.
“We want them to be rescued or taken somewhere where they can find new homes,” Cash said.
The team is hoping someone can eventually give them a second chance at life after a horrifying start.
Gonzales is currently being held without bail.
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