2 Missing Dogs at Center of Anoka County Animal Cruelty Case
Authorities are searching for two missing dogs at the center of an animal cruelty investigation in Anoka County after a contracted animal control provider refused to cooperate with investigators and has allegedly concealed the animals.
The case began after deputies found an elderly woman injured inside an unlivable home in Linwood Township last month, along with several malnourished animals.
Deputies responded to the home on Jan. 26 for a medical call and found the woman injured and in need of medical care. Linwood firefighters helped gain entry and the woman was taken to a hospital. Inside, deputies discovered three dogs, several cats and a bird, all showing signs of neglect. The dogs were taken to a contracted animal control provider, while the cats and bird were transferred to the Animal Humane Society.
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One of the dogs was later euthanized after an evaluation by a veterinarian working with the contracted provider. Given the conditions of the animals and their surroundings, the Anoka County Sheriff’s Office launched an animal cruelty investigation. Prosecutors requested that expert veterinarians from the Humane Society evaluate the surviving animals to document their health for the case. But the contracted provider refused to allow the evaluations and stopped cooperating with investigators.
On Feb. 6, after consulting with the Anoka County Attorney’s Office, deputies executed a search warrant at the facility in an effort to locate the two remaining dogs. Authorities didn’t find the animals on-site and their whereabouts remain unknown. The sheriff’s office says investigation is ongoing.
Investigators are working to locate the missing dogs as they seek accountability for their abuse. If you have information on this or other animal abuse in Minnesota, contact the Animal Humane Society’s Humane Investigations team and make a report online.
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