CT woman now facing more than 40 counts of animal cruelty after two new arrests
Sarah Anne Smolak, 28, turned herself in at the Norwalk Police Department where officers held two warrants for her arrest, according to police. She was charged with two counts of cruelty to animals following separate investigations into the condition of dogs she allegedly cared for last year.
Norwalk police Lt. Tomasz Podgorski said police began investigating in October 2024 after receiving a complaint indicating a dog allegedly fostered by Smolak lost a significant amount of weight and showed a decline in health. Animal control officers reviewed veterinary records from multiple care centers in Connecticut and New York 'to establish a timeline of Smolak's custody of the dog and its condition,' Podgorski said in a statement.
The investigation found that a 3-year-old brown and white Pit Bull named 'Little Squishy' was in Smolak's care for two months in August and September 2024. During that time, the animal allegedly lost 13 pounds and his 'body condition deteriorated,' according to Podgorski. After the dog was removed from Smolak's care, he was found to gain weight without any issue and his overall health improved, Podgorski said.
'Officers found the dog was not receiving proper care and caloric intake while in the care of Smolak,' Podgorski said.
According to Podgorski, police received a similar complaint involving Smolak in March involving a dog that also allegedly showed a sharp decline in its health while in her care. Investigators once again examined veterinary records from multiple care centers in Connecticut and New York to establish when Smolak had custody of the dog.
The investigation found that a black and white colored Pit Bull named 'Royal Blue' was in Smolak's care for 24 days between March and April 2024, during which time he lost allegedly seven pounds and his body condition deteriorated, Podgorski said. The dog was also prescribed de-worming medication after being in her care. Using a surgically implanted microchip in the dog, animal control officers were able to confirm he had since been adopted by new owners and was found to be doing well with no apparent medical issues.
Smolak was first arrested by the Winchester Police Department on March 18 and charged with two counts of cruelty to animals. The arrest came weeks after animal welfare groups and rescues launched a social media and email campaign urging state officials, local police and media to conduct an investigation. David Reid, 28, of Winsted was also charged with one count of cruelty to animals in connection with that investigation, police said.
Police at the time said they seized 27 dogs as part of their ongoing investigation.
According to online court records, Winchester police arrested Smolak again on April 10 and charged her with 36 counts of cruelty to animals. Norwalk police on April 22 arrested her on one count of animal cruelty, records show.
Smolak had a total of five pending cases involving animal cruelty charges prior to her arrests on Thursday, according to court records. She is free on bonds totaling $135,000 and is scheduled to appear before a judge on May 28 on the new charges, records show.
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