Rescued Dogs Begin To Recover After Animal Cruelty Investigation In Stafford: Police

STAFFORD COUNTY, VA — An animal cruelty investigation is underway after authorities reported three dogs living in inhumane condition in North Stafford, the Stafford County Sheriff's Office said.

One dog was found dead at the property, authorities said. The two other dogs are receiving care from the animal shelter.

The investigation is still ongoing, according to the sheriff's office. However, a judge ruled that the owners could not have their dogs back. If the owners do not appeal the judge's decision, the dogs will go up for adoption at the animal shelter.

A caller contacted the sheriff's office on Jan. 19 to report animal cruelty. The caller said three dogs were living in poor conditions. They were "skin and bones," the caller told the sheriff's office.

A Stafford County deputy learned that one of the dogs had died. The deputy noted that the two surviving dogs were underweight and smelled like urine and feces.

"Due to the unhealthy state of the dogs, they were seized and transported to the veterinarian for evaluation," the Stafford County Sheriff's Office said. "The remains of the third dog were seized for a necropsy."

The deputy received a search warrant for the home and found piles of feces on the ground, according to authorities.

"Both dogs are currently doing well. Bulliet, the beagle, and Mimosa, the Pomeranian, are starting to gain weight again," the sheriff's office wrote on Facebook. "Both dogs are currently in good spirits and are receiving the best care."