SAN ANTONIO – A self-proclaimed dog rescuer who is facing an animal cruelty charge after Animal Care Services officials rescued nearly two dozen dogs from the woman's Northeast Side home Tuesday has been identified.
On Wednesday, police identified the woman as 30-year-old Monique Smith.
At least 23 animals have been rescued from the woman's home in the 300 block of Brettonwood Drive, according to Lisa Norwood, a spokeswoman for ACS, said Tuesday.
Norwood said ACS received numerous calls from people alleging dogs were being kept in deplorable conditions on the property. She said that the city was initially working with Smith to get the property into compliance with city code and served a warrant at the home Tuesday.
"It was apparent, just from the animals that we could see on the outside, that there was a large number of animals on the property," Norwood said.
ACS investigators found dogs of varying ages, including 15 puppies, which Norwood estimated were 4 months old. Norwood said the dogs were kept without food, water or shelter.
"Over the past couple of days, we've had some very interesting weather; it's been cold, it's been wet, it's been rainy," Norwood said. "These animals have been exposed to all of that."
Norwood said investigators also found animals kept in similarly deplorable conditions inside the home. Investigators said they found a dog being kept in a crate along with what they believe are the remains of a small dead animal.
According to online records, Smith has since been released from custody after posting a $2,500 bond.