The Winsted woman accused of mistreating 40 dogs in Winsted and Norwalk made her first appearance before a judge in her three Norwalk cases.
Sarah Smolak was arraigned in Stamford Superior Court Wednesday on two counts of animal cruelty, along with charges of larceny and criminal damage to property.
Smolak’s hearing was brief but still drew a crowd of animal advocates.
Smolak used to live in Norwalk, where police said she abused and neglected two foster dogs she was paid to care for last year. One was from Remember Me Rescue.
“Her application looked good. We called people. Everybody gave her a great recommendation. The vet gave her a great recommendation. Since then, they've apologized,” DeSanti told News 12 outside the courthouse.
“When I got him back and put him in the car, he was so defeated, he just rolled up in a ball. He was a different dog,” DeSanti recalled.
“Now he is great. He looks great. He's still looking for a home. He loves his wheelchair,” DeSanti said.
The dog in the other Norwalk animal cruelty case, Royal Blue, was found to be significantly underweight from being in Smolak’s care, as well, according to police.
Smolak is also accused of causing $100,000 worth of damage to the rental house she was in due to her lack of care for the animals. Police said she left it covered in dog urine and feces. The landlord told News 12 that it was so bad that crews had to wear respirators and hazmat suits for the first six weeks of restoration work, which included ripping out the Maplewood flooring.
Smolak was charged with 38 counts of animal cruelty for the dogs that were seized and 11 others previously in her care in Winsted.
“I won't stop until justice is served and until we find Marshmallow,” said Caroline Plank, an AMA Animal Rescue volunteer who fostered Marshmallow before Smolak. “I absolutely will not stop. We will go to the ends of the Earth if we need to.”
Plank was among several from the group who made the trip to Stamford Thursday morning. Many wore T-shirts with the words, “Where’s Marshmallow?” and a picture of the missing pit bull.
“She’s said that he got sick. She's said that he went to a different foster. She's also said she gave him back to us,” Plank stated.
An $8,000 reward has been offered for information on the dog’s return.
Smolak returns to Stamford Superior Court on July 23. She’s back in Torrington Superior Court for the other animal cruelty charges on July 2.
Judges from both jurisdictions have barred Smolak from having animals as a condition of her release.
