Tammy Maria Curtis of Lexington Park, MD charged with animal cruelty after allegedly throwing puppies into a dumpter

MARYLAND -- A Maryland woman has been charged with animal cruelty after allegedly tossing three puppies into a dumpster.

Tammy Maria Curtis, 49, of Lexington Park was charged with three counts of animal cruelty after the owner of the puppies filed a complaint against her.

Curtis reportedly told the owner that she killed the puppies and refused to tell the owner where they were, according to the St. Mary's County Sheriff's office.

A witness later found the puppies inside a plastic bag in a nearby community dumpster.

The puppies, who were born on April 24, were still alive when they were found, but police said they were having trouble breathing.

Curtis was arrested and transported to the St. Mary's County Detention Center.

(WJLA - May 6, 2014)