A woman believed to have abandoned her pets for almost a year was arrested June 27 on charges of aggravated animal cruelty after Edgewater Police found seven dead animals at her home.
According to police, Danielle McGinnis, 57, vacated her property on Pine Tree Drive for nearly one year, during which time a “long-standing civil dispute” impeded access to the house.
But stakeholders, including McGinnis and six others, were just allowed access back into the home when officers received a call about possible animal cruelty, according to a press release.
When officers arrived at the property, they discovered “deplorable living conditions, including widespread animal feces and severe disrepair, rendering the property uninhabitable,” the release stated.
In addition, officers found the remains of two dogs, two cats and three birds all in “advanced stages of decomposition.”
Police said there were “no signs of food or water available for the animals,” which led investigators to believe the pets died from “prolonged starvation and dehydration.”
Edgewater Police put out alert to find Danielle McGinnis
Police sent an alert on social media later that night asking the public to help locate McGinnis.
She was later found in Daytona Beach, where police interviewed her.
“During the interview, (McGinnis) admitted to leaving the animals inside the home when she moved out a year ago,” the press release said. “She claimed to have asked a ‘friend’ to look after the animals, but could not provide a name or contact information.”
McGinnis also admitted to not following up on the animals’ well-being, police said.
Edgewater Animal Control services removed the animals’ remains from the house and handled the “appropriate final disposition,” police said.
McGinnis is charged with seven counts of aggravated animal cruelty resulting in death, a felony charge.
She is being held at the Volusia County Branch Jail on $70,000 bond.
This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Edgewater woman charged with animal cruelty after 7 dead animals found in home
Reporting by Brenno Carillo, Daytona Beach News-Journal / The Daytona Beach News-Journal
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