Christina D. Kendall is now charged with two counts of cruelty to an animal.
Animal control said they received a phone call Tuesday night that a dog's paws were literally frozen to the ground.
When they arrived, they found a Chihuahua and a cocker spaniel living in conditions they said were completely unacceptable.
"Bad, bad. No care at all for the animals as far as shelter," said Scott County Animal Control Officer Denney Robbins.
Scott County Animal Control said that shelter for the chained up dogs was a sleeping bag for the chihuahua and a barrel with standing water [inside] for the cocker spaniel.
Robbins said it was in the low 20s the night they were notified.
"I think they was ready to give up, to be honest about it," said Robbins.
"So do you think you saved their life?" WLKY's Drew Douglas asked Robbins.
"Yep, I think the caller that called saved their life," said Robbins.
Robbins said they initially issued a warning about the conditions Tuesday night.
But when nothing had changed the next morning, they decided to press charges against Kendall.
Robbins spoke with Kendall on the phone before she was arrested.
"She said she couldn't care for her dogs 24/7 and pretty much hung up on me," said Robbins.
Robbins said the Chihuahua is now doing very well, but the cocker spaniel had to be shaved because his hair was matted.
He says that led to the discovery of several sores on the dog's paws and genitals.
He's getting an ointment for his injuries while battling one more illness.
"The cocker spaniel has to have ear drops put in its ears once a day for an ear infection," said Robbins.
Animal control said Kendall has 10 days to pay a 30-day holding fee on the two animals. If she doesn't by then, they said the dogs will become possession of the animal shelter.
Kendall is out of jail on bond and will be back in court next month.
She refused to speak with WLKY News about the allegations.
(wlky.com - Jan 19, 2013)
