A woman who ran a dog shelter in Prince William County has been convicted of animal cruelty, while a caretaker at the shelter has pleaded guilty.
Judge Peter W. Steketee found 44-year-old Sandra Cortes guilty of 27 counts of animal cruelty. Sentencing is set for Dec. 8.
Caretaker Brenda Dodson pleaded guilty to 27 counts of animal cruelty. The 30-year-old was sentenced to 18 months in jail and 20 years of supervised probation, during which time she is not to have contact with animals.
A May raid by county authorities at the shelter in Triangle found 107 malnourished and diseased dogs. Three dead dogs were found buried in the yard.
Sgt. Lorie Carter of Prince William Animal Control said 54 dogs and 12 cats were adopted to new homes after being treated at the county animal shelter. Twenty four of the dogs had to be euthanized due to illness and 13 dogs because of aggression.
Carter said the dogs "thought they were at the Hylton" when they arrived at the shelter, where they were bathed and fed, given clean blankets and cages and treated with kindness.
"They were all really good dogs," she said.
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