A decide ordered Sarah Smolak to return a canine named Marshmallow to Angels for Mistreated Animals, a New York based mostly shelter, on Monday.
However police and the rescue say she by no means confirmed up, and Marshmallow remains to be lacking and has been for months.
“Now I really worry for his safety, I worry where he is,” Caroline Plank, a volunteer with AMA Animal Rescue, who has fostered Marshmallow earlier than, mentioned.
She mentioned it’s devastating to not have Marshmallow secure and sound within the rescue’s care.
Courtroom paperwork say Smolak signed a contract agreeing to foster Marshmallow in December and was required to return him upon demand. The paperwork mentioned she stopped answering the rescue and sharing proof of life for Marshmallow.
Police had been first tipped off by AMA Rescue that Smolak had Marshmallow and hadn’t returned him in February.
Whereas police had been in search of the canine, police say they discovered greater than two dozen canines in unsafe situations in Smolak’s care and charged her on dozens of counts of animal cruelty.
“Not having him or her present up it…it was past deflating,” mentioned Plank, talking about how Smolak didn’t present as much as return Marshmallow on Monday.
Smolak’s legal professional is combating the order to return Marshmallow. Courtroom paperwork reveals that Smolak maintains she did not and does not have Marshmallow.
Within the meantime, Winchester police say their investigation into the place Marshmallow is, is ongoing.
“We’re still looking at additional leads and information on the disappearance of that dog and whether she had that dog and still does,” Winchester Police Chief Chris Ciuci mentioned.
Because the search continues, Plank mentioned they will not cease combating for Marshmallow till they’ve solutions.
“We’re not going to stop looking for the truth. We’re not going to stop looking for Marshmallow and this will not go away,” Plank mentioned.
As for the handfuls of different animal cruelty fees towards Smolak, police say their investigation is completed and people fees are enjoying out in courtroom.
NBC Connecticut has reached out to Smolak’s legal professional and is ready to listen to again.
