DATE: July 29, 2022
SUBJECT: Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office: Animal Cruelty Arrest
RELEASE NUMBER: 2022-NR-0729
CONTACT: Major Jason Ashworth or Lieutenant Matt Corn
AUTHORITY: Sheriff Dave Wedding
On 07/29/2022, at approximately 1319 hours, deputies were dispatched 8114 Old State Road in reference to an assist citizen. Deputies were advised that Animal Control was already on scene requesting the assistance of deputies to check the welfare of several dogs inside the residence.
An Animal Control officer stated he knocked on the door of the residence but was unable to make contact with anyone. Animal Control advised that they could smell a strong foul odor coming from the residence and observed a deceased dog. Upon arrival, deputies were able to observe a deceased dog through a window in the front door and could hear other dogs barking inside of the residence.
Deputies made contact with the homeowner, Cynthia Combs, at another address and she agreed to go with deputies to the original address. Combs allowed animal control and deputies into the residence to check the welfare of the animals. A total of four (4) dogs were located inside of the residence, two of which were deceased inside kennels. During an interview, Combs, who was the sole caretaker of the animals, advised that it had been two weeks since she was last at the residence. She advised that she was aware that dogs were at the residence and that she failed to care for them. Combs was arrested on multiple animal cruelty charges and will be booked into the Vanderburgh County Jail.
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