TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WISH) — A Terre Haute woman is behind bars after officers found over a dozen malnourished animals at her home in early November.
Samantha Washburn, 31, appeared in court Monday morning after being charged with five counts of animal cruelty.
According to an arrest affidavit shared with News 8, investigation into Washburn started after Terre Haute-based Happy Tails Animal Rescue on Nov. 5 notified police it had recovered multiple malnourished stray dogs in the 2600 block of Arleth Street.
The two dogs, dubbed “Ida” and “Arlo” by caretakers, had been taken to an emergency veterinarian clinic for immediate treatment. On reviewing images of the dogs, investigators described them as “skin and bone” with thinning hair infested by fleas and sores on their skin.
The shelter also reported that veterinarians feared Ida would not “make it through the night” after her arrival at the hospital.
According to the Vigo County Prosecutor’s Office, investigators soon discovered that the dogs belonged to Washburn, who “willingly surrendered” Ida and Arlo to the shelter.
After reviewing texts and calls between Washburn and her boyfriend – who is an inmate at the Vigo County jail – police learned she may have several more animals at her house, as well.
Officers issued a search warrant on Washburn’s home on Nov. 7, finding three other dogs and eleven cats, “all of which were found in similar condition to the original animals.” Court documents say Washburn originally told officers that “Ida” and “Arlo” belonged to her sister and passed off their conditions as having worms, but later confessed to police she had lied.
The Indiana Department of Child Services also removed three children from the home after the residence was ruled “unfit for habitation.”
Washburn was not arrested until early Monday morning.
Prosecutors have not said if she will face additional charges regarding the children and other animals found in the home.
In updates shared on social media, Happy Tails says that Ida and Arlo are slowly, but surely, on their way to recovery.
One video depicts Ida walking unsteadily through a yard and going to the bathroom, an act she struggled performing when she came into the hospital’s care.
The three other dogs, formerly called Zeus, Cane, and Cocoa, have all been placed in foster homes.
News 8 has reached out to Happy Tails for more information.
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