A Winnipeg woman is facing a number of animal cruelty related charges after police found 15 dogs malnourished and in distress.

On January 4, 2019 officers were on Home Street when they noticed a strong smell coming from a home in the 700 block.

Police approach the house and saw a number of dogs barking and clawing at the window. On closer inspection the officers counted 15 dogs inside the home all of whom appeared in distress and severely under fed.

• Goat and Pony found dead with ears cut off

The City of Winnipeg’s Animal Services Agency was called in. Once inside the residence police found the conditions to be deplorable. There was no food or access to water and the animals were living in their own excrement.

From all appearances the animals had been abandoned.

All 15 dogs were seized by animal control officers with the help of police and taken to Animal Services facility where they were given and continue to receive medical care.

Officers continued to investigate and arrested 35-year-old Crystal Marie Molloy from a home in the Richmond West area of the city on Saturday, January 12, 2019.

Molloy has been charged for her alleged involvement with:

• Inflict upon an animal acute suffering, serious injury or harm, or extreme anxiety or distress that significantly impairs its health or well being (Animal Care Act)
• Fail to ensure an adequate source of food and water for an animal (Animal Care Act)
• Confine an animal to an enclosure or area with unsanitary conditions, so as to significantly impair the animal’s health or well-being (Animal Care Act)
• Causing Unnecessary Suffering to an Animal (Criminal Code)
• Abandon or Neglect Animal (Criminal Code)

Police say that the maximum number of dogs you are allowed to have in Winnipeg is four.

You can report suspected animal cruelty or neglect to the provincial animal care line at 204-945-8000

The animals seized during the investigation will be put up for adoption at a later date.