A Virginia woman has been arrested after authorities found over 40 dead cats and dogs in her truck. State police in New Jersey found the animals individually stuffed in trash bags. The truck was parked in the lot of a department store when the grueling discovery was made.
Lynn Leonard, 53, was arrested and charged with animal cruelty. Authorities were able to take her into custody after she returned to her truck on Monday.
Eleventh Hour Rescue, an animal shelter that was called to assist, released a statement. "Last night in Hampton Township, NJ, an unimaginable situation of animal cruelty was discovered. Roughly 38 dogs, 8 cats, and at minimum 40 deceased animals were found inside of a small beaten down pick up truck parked behind a strip mall."
The statement went on to say that the animal shelter received a call from its rescue partner. Volunteers jumped at the opportunity to drive to the scene and assist in whatever way they could.
Eleventh Hour Rescue took four of the animals who were still alive. The remaining ones were dispersed across different rescues and shelters.
"These animals were living in these deplorable conditions since Thursday and who knows what they endured prior to this," the Eleventh Hour statement continued. "The stench of this vehicle could be smelt from down the road. We were hands on pulling out these terrified dogs from this truck all night as they did anything they could to hide from the world and our lungs are still burning from inhaling the fumes."
The statement continued with harrowing details, revealing that everything was covered in feces, urine, and animal remains.
"We pulled out garbage bag after garbage bag of deceased animals individually packed away (see picture), mostly tiny newborn kittens & puppies."
The remaining live animals will require medical attention, and the animal shelter has asked for donations to help assist in their care.
According to the organization, Leonard had a house fire at her home in Virginia and was taking the animals to Pennsylvania. The case remains under investigation as she awaits a court date.
