Gwinnett County police arrested Christine Abbott, 67, and Donna Slavin, 65, after investigators say they discovered 13 dead dogs stored in plastic bags inside refrigerators at a home on the 1900 block of Britt Drive.

The case began when Gwinnett County Animal Control requested police assistance on Sept. 17, prompting an investigation at the residence that revealed animals kept in severely unsanitary conditions and described as underweight and malnourished. Common signs of animal cruelty, which should be reported by pet owners, include poor body condition, lack of food and water, and filthy living areas.

Officers and investigators cataloged the living animals and the bodies found in the home. Many of the live dogs were confined in small cages containing feces and urine, and investigators reported dead animals stored in plastic bags inside refrigerators. “Several of the deceased animals were in varying stages of decomposition,” the Gwinnett County Police Department said.

Police have charged Abbott and Slavin with multiple animal cruelty counts following their arrests. The department said the pair are charged with multiple counts related to the condition of the animals; officials described the counts as dozens of counts of animal cruelty.

Law enforcement and animal control personnel worked together on the scene following the request for assistance by Gwinnett County Animal Control. The Gwinnett County Police Department is leading the criminal investigation into the physical conditions and the circumstances in which the animals were kept. Individuals suspecting animal cruelty can help fight this issue by reporting to local authorities, including animal control and humane societies.

Local video and coverage of the case have circulated online; one clip posted to YouTube shows aspects of the response and the property where the animals were found.

Investigators documented the housing and physical state of the dogs as part of their evidence collection. The descriptions included animals in small enclosures with visible waste and dogs described as underweight and malnourished, details that form the basis of the cruelty allegations.

The discovery has prompted criminal charges against Abbott and Slavin and an active search by police. Gwinnett County Animal Control initiated the response that led to the discovery on Sept. 17 and continues to be involved in animal welfare procedures tied to the case.

The Gwinnett County Police Department provided the decomposition detail in a public statement as the investigation proceeded. Authorities have not released further timeline specifics about arrests or court proceedings in that statement. The legal handling of the evidence and the future of the surviving animals will depend on the direction of the investigators and prosecuting authorities as the case moves forward through the criminal process.

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Original reporting: view the original article.