Pennsylvania police have uncovered what they describe as a “house of horrors” following an investigation into an emaciated dog reported to be too weak to stand. Sandra Alvarado, 40, of White Oak Borough called authorities on July 18 to claim she had found an extremely emaciated Doberman abandoned in a ditch on the side of the road.
Officers discovered evidence linking the dog to Alvarado but soon uncovered far worse conditions. The animal was so severely emaciated it could only be euthanized due to being “beyond reasonable treatment,” according to court documents. The dog suffered from fleas, infections, ulcers, and open wounds exposing tendons.
Alvarado stated she had brought the dog into her home, but police found her residence reeking of urine and overrun with flies. Her story collapsed when officers noted the dog was dry to the touch with no signs of being outside after a storm raged that day. Animal clinic records confirmed Alvarado owned a Doberman named Anubis, and neighborhood witnesses reported seeing the dog run away from her home multiple times.
After obtaining a search warrant on Thursday, police entered the residence and found further evidence of ownership alongside deplorable conditions. The home contained dog crates filled with feces and stagnant urine, spoiled food, soiled litter boxes, and numerous bags of trash. It was also infested with overwhelming numbers of flies and fleas.
Additional discoveries included two firearms accessible to children and a 16-year-old teenager living in the home. White Oak Code Enforcement Officer John Snelson deemed the residence uninhabitable. Alvarado faces five counts of aggravated cruelty to animals, three counts of neglect of animals, one count of cruelty to animals, false reporting to law enforcement, and endangering the welfare of children. She is held at the Allegheny County Jail on a $10,000 bond and will appear for a hearing on August 3.
