Police find 2 dead dogs in Chugiak home; woman arrested on animal cruelty chargesBy KTVA 11 News 11:30 AM March 13, 2017
ANCHORAGE –
Anchorage police have arrested a woman on animal cruelty charges after finding two deceased dogs inside her home and another underweight dog in her office.
The Anchorage Police Department got a call from someone in Chugiak on March 6 who expressed concern for a neighbor with health problems “who had not been seen in quite a while,” according to a release.
When officers responded to the home on the 21600 block of Oberg Road, “through the window police could see a lifeless dog as well as a house kept in very poor condition,” the release states, adding that the officers then entered the home through a back door.
“The house was filled with trash and animal feces,” APD says. “A total of two dead dogs were found inside but no people and no living animals.”
Police have identified 59-year-old Kathleen A. Murphy as the homeowner.
“It was discovered Murphy had left her home and the dogs behind several days prior and began living at work (she is self-employed),” the release states.
When they caught up to her at her office in Anchorage, police found another dog living there with her who was “underweight and had urinated inside,” APD says.
Anchorage Animal Care and Control was called to take possession of all three dogs and is currently caring for the underweight dog.
Police are encouraging the public to report if they suspect a person or a domesticated animal is in an unsafe environment to APD (786-8900) or AACC (343-8119).