Grim scene discovered in Sterling, Va. home with two dead dogs and neglected survivor

STERLING, Va. (7News) — A woman was charged with felony animal cruelty after officers found two dead dogs inside her home and one in emaciated condition roaming around the streets in Sterling, Virginia, according to Loudoun County officials.

Officials said that on the evening of Oct. 31, officers within the Loudoun County Animal Services responded to a call about an abandoned dog that was roaming near Sugarland Drive in Sterling, Virginia. Officials said they found the dog in “extremely poor condition.”

The dog, a 10-year-old Chinese Crested mix named Elvis, had a microchip that led authorities to the home of 70-year-old Sandra Ulrike Landgraf.

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Officials said that officers went to Landgraf's home and attempted to contact her, but the home was empty. During their investigation, officials said they determined that two more dogs had been left inside the home without proper care for an extended period of time. On Nov. 4, officials said they were granted a general search warrant of Landgraf's home, where they said they found the remains of two Chinese Crested mix dogs.

When officials were finally able to speak to Landgraf, she said that she had not gone into her home since at least the spring of 2024 and that the dogs have been without food or water ever since.

Officials said that the dog who survived escaped the home in October through a gap in the home's fence and had been eating trash, rodents, insects and the bodies of the dead dogs.

“This case is heartbreaking, in that the suffering of these dogs was completely preventable,” said Director of Animal Services Nina Stively. “At LCAS, we offer a judgment-free zone for surrendering a pet that you can no longer care for. We always want to support our community’s pet owners, but there is no excuse to move out and leave your pets without food, water or care.”

Officials said Landgraf is scheduled to appear in Loudoun's General District Court to face her criminal charges on Dec. 10.