Two women were arrested after Gwinnett County authorities discovered 13 deceased dogs inside refrigerators at a Britt Drive home and removed a total of 38 dogs from the property, police said.

The case began with a response to allegations on Sept. 17 and developed into an animal cruelty investigation led by the Gwinnett County Police Department in coordination with Gwinnett County Animal Control. Officials said charges were filed Dec. 8 against the two women identified in police records as suspects: Christine Abbott, 67, and Donna Slavin, 65.

Officers and animal control personnel arriving at the residence encountered numerous animals in visibly poor condition, officials said. Investigators described living dogs as underweight and malnourished, with many confined to small cages soiled with feces and urine. Plastic bags containing deceased dogs were found inside multiple refrigerators at the home; the bodies were in varying stages of decomposition.

Those observations align with common signs of animal neglect that experts say owners and neighbors should watch for: lack of food, water or shelter; poor physical condition such as extreme thinness, untreated wounds, matted fur, or visible parasites; and inadequate living conditions including filthy environments or confinement in spaces that are too small. What are the common signs of animal neglect that pet owners should be aware of?

All 38 dogs were removed from the property. Surviving animals were transported to veterinarians for examination and treatment, and the deceased animals were taken for necropsies to determine cause of death and to document findings for the ongoing criminal investigation, authorities said. Veterinary exams and postmortem reports were used to inform the charges filed on Dec. 8.

Investigators cataloged the scene and the condition of both living and deceased animals during the multi-agency response. Gwinnett County Police and Animal Control personnel documented the cramped and unsanitary conditions inside the residence and collected evidence, including the refrigerated remains, to support the cruelty investigation.

Local television coverage of the inspections and seizures, including footage posted by 11Alive on YouTube, showed agency personnel carrying animals from the property and officers at the scene. Authorities have not publicly released detailed findings from the necropsies, citing the ongoing nature of the investigation.

Animal cruelty remains a persistent issue in the United States. In 2021, law enforcement agencies across the country reported 16,573 animal cruelty offenses, with Texas reporting the highest number at 2,952 — about 17% of the national total — and a national average of roughly eight offenses per 100,000 people. How prevalent is animal cruelty in the United States, and what trends have been Some estimates suggest as many as 10 million animals die annually from abuse in the U.S., though reported cases represent only a portion of the broader problem.

Officials encourage members of the public to report suspected animal cruelty. To do so, contact local police (or call 911 for crimes in progress), your county animal control office, or local humane organizations such as the SPCA. What resources are available for people who want to report suspected animal cruelty? The ASPCA recommends providing detailed information including the exact location, observations, and any available photos or videos taken from public areas, along with witness contact information to assist investigators.

The investigation remains active with Gwinnett County Police Department and Animal Control, and prosecutors have filed animal cruelty charges against Abbott and Slavin. Further legal proceedings and the results of veterinary and necropsy examinations are expected to be part of the case record as it moves through the court system.

Authorities did not release additional personal details about the suspects or specify when the arrests were made beyond the Dec. 8 charging date. Gwinnett County officials asked anyone with further information about the case to contact police as investigators continue compiling evidence.

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Original reporting: view the original article.