An animal cruelty investigation is ongoing in Winsted. The woman at the center of the investigation faced a judge Tuesday on multiple animal cruelty charges.
Police have arrested a 28-year-old Winchester woman in connection with an animal cruelty case and said 24 dogs have been seized during the ongoing investigation.
Winchester Police Department said officers went to an address on Strong Terrace around 6:30 a.m. on Tuesday and served two arrest warrants on 28-year-old Sarah Smolak.
According to Winchester Police Chief Chris Ciuci, the investigation started in February after complaints of neglect and missing animals.
Ciuci said the investigation started in February, and stems from complaints of neglect and missing animals. He said they have been working with the state Department of Agriculture, local animal controls and even law enforcement in New York to bring charges.
Get top local stories in Connecticut delivered to you every morning. Sign up for NBC Connecticut's News Headlines newsletter.
Smolak was charged with two counts of animal cruelty, held on a $150,000 court set bond and she was transported to the Litchfield Judicial District Courthouse GA #18 in Torrington.
The state prosecutor said the dogs were living in deplorable conditions and four of them were listed in critical condition.
“The electric collar that had been placed around their neck were so tight, the tightness of the collar caused the skin to effectively meld into the collar, causing serious injury,” the state prosecutor said in court Tuesday.
Local
Smolak’s defense attorney said she has been working with dog rescues and deals with critical care dogs regularly.
Court documents say she allegedly took in dogs, claiming she would care for them, but police say they found something different entirely.
“The state has serious concerns here about the nature of the animals,” the state prosecutor said.
During a visit from police in late February, officers noted no issues with the animals in her care, the attorney said.
“The two cases in question, they found mistreated animals, malnourished, neglected, sores, things of that nature,” Ciuci said.
The 24 dogs that were seized are being examined, housed, and cared for locally, according to police.
They said advocacy groups and area law enforcement from as far away as Long Island, New York provided information in the case.
The defense pushed back against the allegations, noting Smolak’s willingness to take in critical animals. Her attorney pointing to a visit from police in late February, where officers noted no issues with the animals in her care.
“She has been working with dog rescues; she deals with critical care dogs regularly,” Smolak’s attorney said. “I’m not sure what’s going on here, I don’t think we really know, judge, I think we need further investigation.”
What happened to Marshmallow
Court documents say an organization called AMA Animal Rescue out of Brooklyn, New York, helped put Smolak on police's radar.
They claim she was fostering their dog, Marshmallow, for a month, but he was never returned.
Court documents say Smolak denies ever having Marshmallow. Still, police say their investigation did find at least two mistreated, malnourished and neglected animals.
Michele Walsh of AMA Animal Rescue said she's glad an arrest has been made for the sake of the other dogs, but she and police both say Marshmallow has not yet been located.
"It's horrifying to think what these animals have endured for many years,” Walsh said. “We believe with the arrest thig morning that this may be a really big break in the case, and we'll get some good leads and hopefully be able to bring Marshmallow home."
Court documents say Smolak was taking dogs from regional animal care groups, but many are now trying to get those animals back after learning of these allegations.
It’s a development many in the area have been following. Francine Patrick Schwartz, of New Hartford, said she’s been keeping up, and says she even hung up posters.
"I’m hoping that this case will set a precedent for other animal abusers in the state, I hope something will finally be done,” Patrick Schwartz said.
Other Connecticut animal advocacy organizations are getting involved, too. BARC CT has been advocating for Marshmallow’s recovery.
“It’s distressing to realize there are people out there who are getting away with this,” said Diana Urban, of BARC CT. “We still hope that we will find Marshmallow."
Smolak was released on a promise to appear and on the condition she have no contact with animals. She’s due back in court in May.
Anyone with information relevant to the Winchester investigation are asked to contact police.
