Investigators say 42-year-old Cynthia E. Scheithauer moved out of a trailer in Lyons several months ago.
She allegedly left a dog and cat behind without food or water.
The bodies of the animals were found months later.
Scheithauer faces animal cruelty charges. She will go before a judge within the next few weeks.
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| This larger blur is probably the little dog |
The veterinary report found the white terrier weighed eight pounds, when it should have weighed 20. The cat weighed four pounds, when it should have weighed 10 pounds.
The veterinarian who examined the animals believes they were probably dead for a few days based on the level of decomposition.
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| This blur is probably the poor cat |
Mother defends daughter
Cynthia Scheithauer’s mother is standing by her daughter while neighbors are upset this happened right under their nose.
Marian Scheithauer said, “There is no way. The puppy was nine months old when she got it. She took that puppy every place. She loved that puppy.
Leslie Mosher, neighbor, said, “If I knew the puppy was in there, I would have let it loose let it run free at least have some kind of freedom to go get something to eat or I could have put food out but they didn't have nothing in there at all.”
Cynthia Scheithauer's mother says her daughter left the animals in someone else's care, but police say it was still her responsibility to make sure they were taken care of.
Scheithauer was issued an appearance ticket and released.
(WHAM - May 9, 2012)
