Woman arrested for cruelty after dead puppy found in apartment

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Cleveland police arrested a Toccoa woman for animal cruelty after discovering a puppy’s partially decomposed body inside an apartment. Officers charged 31-year-old Kandice Johnson with cruelty to animals following her arrest on Tuesday, April 9.

Police Chief Jeff Shoemaker says neighbors at an apartment complex on Wanda Drive in Cleveland complained about foul odors coming from one of the units. Police officers went to the scene to investigate.

“With the assistance of a keyholder, officers made entry into the residence and observed that the rooms were in disarray and were faced with strong odors of feces and rotting flesh,” says Shoemaker.

While searching the apartment, the officers discovered the dead puppy.

“The animal had apparently been left inside without adequate food or water,” Shoemaker says.

White County Animal Control took possession of the puppy’s body. Authorities later located and arrested Johnson without incident and transported her to the White County Detention Center.

Online jail records show that police charged Johnson with felony cruelty to animals and truancy. As of April 10, she remained in jail on a $3500 bond.

Chief Shoemaker says the case remains under investigation.