'I Lost My Home': Landlord Who Found 5 Dead Dogs Speaks Out

FAIRFIELD, CT — A woman acquitted of killing five dogs but found guilty of damaging the Fairfield home where the animals were discovered was not sentenced this week, as originally planned.

However, her landlord, who found the dogs, did give a victim impact statement, detailing the experience of discovering the remains and losing her savings due to damage at the Prince Street residence caused by tenant Heidi Lueders.

“I have lost trust in my fellow human beings,” a tearful Celly Roberts said. “I lost my home and I lost my life savings.”

Lueders was acquitted of 10 animal cruelty counts in February but was found guilty of one count of first-degree criminal property damage after the dogs were discovered in November 2018, dead in cages at the home, along with piles of garbage and feces, prosecutor Felicia Valentino said in February. The residence was so severely damaged the floors had to be removed and a HAZMAT team was brought in to clean it.

Lueders is the former president of Bully Breed Rescue Inc. and her case has been closely watched by animal law advocacy group Desmond’s Army, whose members were brought to tears Wednesday by Roberts’ statement.

Roberts, a self-described “animal lover” detailed saving her money and buying the home, only to find it “destroyed.” When Roberts was unable to afford the repairs, the residence was foreclosed and sold at auction, she said. During the pretrial process of Lueders’ case, Roberts described seeking $166,000 from her insurance company and receiving only $10,000 when the company claimed the destruction was done by the dogs.

“I lost my home that I had to work so hard for,” Roberts said Wednesday.

Lueders is scheduled to be sentenced May 4. She is free on a $250,000 bond but faces up to five years in prison and a $5,000 fine.

Her attorney, Robert Serafinowicz, requested the delay, arguing certain details in the presentencing investigation documents should be redacted. He also expressed concern that a psychological evaluation had not been conducted.

“I feel the defense would be well-served having that evaluation,” he said.

Judge Peter McShane reordered the evaluation, and noted that he expected to hear a statement at the May court date from a victim advocate for the dogs.