- Virginia, USA -
The Bedford County Sheriff’s Office announced the arrest of 38-years-old COLLEEN LAGINES (pictured) for animal cruelty and child neglect.
In a news release the sheriff’s office said that on Thursday, September 15, 2022, along with the Department of Social Services deputies responded to a property on Jeters Chapel Road to conduct a home visit for an 18-year-old “autistic student who was not attending school.”
Upon arrival, officials found the home to be “heavily overgrown with sounds of dogs barking coming from inside the residence along with extreme odors emitting from the house. During the investigation, we learned that the mother had abandoned the two children at this house”, said the sheriff’s office.
Animal Control was called in and officers found “badly emaciated and deceased animals.”
As indicated in the release, many animals were transported to Riverside Veterinarian Clinic for assessment and care.
LAGINES was arrested on September 16, 2022, and charged with four counts of felony child abuse and neglect but Bedford County Sheriff Mike Miller said this is an ongoing investigation and additional charges may be sought at the completion.
Online arrest records show that LAGINES is being held at the Amherst County Adult Detention Center with no bond.
In a Facebook post, Friends of Bedford County Animal Shelter said: “Thanks to immediate action from Bedford County the animals that were brought in were signed over by their “owner”. Now the three Pibbles that have been starved and left in their own urine/ feces will get the care they greatly need before heading to forever homes and this horrible chapter in their life will be put behind them. Each dog had a body score of a 1, which is the WORST possible score. The number one concern was organ failure due to starvation. Thankfully, their bloodwork came back much better than we feared. These little survivors will have to stay at Riverside Veterinary Hospital, where they are under the excellent care of Dr. Ryan and Dr. Young. So far, other than getting some weight on them, and taking care of all the sores on their bodies, we know that one of the dogs will need two masses removed. Once ready, the girls will need to be spayed as well. This will be sponsored by Friends of Bedford County Animal Shelter, which will make a sizable dent in our funds. We are reaching out to ask that if you can donate, even a few dollars, to help with the cost of their vet care it would be so very appreciated. Every dollar counts, as we are an all-volunteer rescue group that helps supply additional care to county shelter pets.”
If you wish and can afford to donate, please click here. Thank you!
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Details may be removed or additional information may be provided in future should such sources report an update.
Pictures shared from the Bedford County Sheriff’s Office and Friends of Bedford County Animal Shelter, Inc.
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