Source: NPSO
A disturbing case of alleged animal neglect at a home led to the arrest of a north Natchitoches Parish woman on cruelty to animal charges according to the Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office.
On Tuesday, Oct. 27 at approximately 8:30 a.m., deputies responded to a complaint of alleged animal neglect in the 400 block of Coffee Crossing Road near Ashland. The complaint focused on several malnourished dogs and domestic pigs (swine). Deputies observed several dogs chained to trees and t-posts around the exterior of the home, six dogs, four pit bulldogs and two small dogs, without any food and a small amount of dirty water supply.
Three dogs were extremely malnourished, appeared very weak and were in deplorable living conditions according to investigating deputies.
In an adjacent large fenced area, deputies observed skeleton remains of a domestic pig that died of unknown causes.
Deputies assigned to the NPSO Animal Services Unit were summoned. Animal Services seized all six dogs for veterinary evaluation. Deputies attempted to contact the homeowner although no one was at the residence. Deputies later found the owner, Christy Michelle Anderson, at a residence on Campti Bayou Road in Campti.
She confirmed ownership of the animals stating she “knew this was coming.”
Anderson, 41, was charged with 6-counts of Cruelty to Animals. Deputies say it appeared Anderson abandoned the animals and did not properly take care of them.
The case will be turned over to the Natchitoches Parish District Attorney’s Office for review and prosecution.