Lida Levesque, 35, of 3 South Landing, was arrested on 4 counts of animal cruelty at a home in Methuen, where she has been living, according to Sgt. Aurie Roy of the Sandown Police Department.

"(The pets) were just abandoned in a house," Roy said.

Police arrested Levesque after finding 2 dogs, 1 cat and 1 hamster in her Sandown home on Jan. 25, Roy said.

Roy said she could not comment further because it is an ongoing case. A police affidavit filed in Derry District Court said Sandown police Sgt. Scott Wood found a dead hamster in its cage and that the animal appeared to have frozen to death.

Wood, responding to a call from a neighbor, said in the affidavit he saw 2 dogs in the front window that appeared to be shaking because of the cold. One of the dogs, a boxer, appeared to be extremely thin and its ribs were showing, he said.

Wood said he didn't see any food or water near the boxer or the second dog, a puggle. The neighbor told police she hadn't seen anyone at the home for at least 2 weeks.

Wood, Animal Control Officer Claire Kontos and a second police officer found at least 8 to 10 inches of snow in the driveway and there were no footprints to indicate someone had been at the home in a while, the sergeant said.

The Sandown Fire Department was called to help police enter to the house.

After they entered, Wood said it appeared to be colder inside the residence than outside, where it was 19 degrees.

In the basement, they found a cat that appeared to be extremely hungry, and had no food or water, Wood said. The dogs and cat were taken to the nearby Doberman Rescue League.

Levesque is scheduled to appear in Derry District Court on Feb. 16, Roy said.

The 4 counts are class A misdemeanors, punishable by up to a year in jail and a $2,000 fine for each count.

Reference:

The Eagle Tribune