A former Norwalk resident, Sarah Smolak, 28, who was charged in March with animal cruelty by Winchester, CT police has been arrested again on 36 new counts of animal cruelty in connection to the seizure of 27 dogs in March.
Investigations were launched after complaints from rescue groups who hired Smolak to foster and train dogs.
Investigations are being conducted by Winchester Police Dept, Town of Harwinton Regional Animal Control Dept and Animal Control Officers with the State of Connecticut Dept of Agriculture.
According to the warrant application, investigation started back in February when an officer was dispatched to Smolak’s residence in Winsted, where she had only lived for about a week after moving from Norwalk, to check on the well being of a dog named “Marshmallow” and its living conditions. At the time, the officer spoke to Smolak who stated she did not have a dog.
But the investigation continued, and in March Smolak was arrested by warrant and 24 dogs were seized from her residence.
The tally of dogs seized increased to 27 after a second person, David Reid, 28, also of Winsted, was charged as part of the ongoing investigation.
There are two new arrest warrants for Smolak. One alleges 34 counts of Animal Cruelty; the other alleges 2 counts.
Smolak turned herself in on the new warrants after being accused of starving dogs in her care and keeping them in horrendous conditions.
Details in one 13-page arrest warrant application recount an officer’s visit to Smolak on Feb 26, accompanied by an animal control officer, describing the very strong scent of feces and urine and finding 5 dogs in each room on the first floor, with rooms separated by a large barrier, and 3-5 dogs in crates in each room upstairs. From the exterior of the house where the officer had a view of the basement where Smolak said she would let him in, the officer saw a tan/beige dog in a crate.
The officer stated he observed Smolak come down the basement stairs and grab the dog that was inside the crate and run the dog up the stairs.
The officer reported that when Smokak let him in the basement he “immediately noticed a nearly intolerable smell of fecal matter and urine.” The officer reported seeing cages that did not have any dogs in them but were filled with feces and urine. The officer stated that he left the property with the ACO after inquiring about the dog Smolak removed from the basement to the first floor and Smolak said it was one of the dogs the officer and ACO had already seen.
The warrant application also says that on March 6 a woman who operates a dog rescue on Long Island met with an officer to say she had recently taken 7 dogs from Smolak’s house including 7-year old Seraphine, who she said walked with a limp on her left side, had open sores on her hindquarters, visible rib cage and spine and a sunken waistline as well as redness, hair loss and sores on her muzzle and head, plus healed wounds on her legs and abrasions and skin issues on her underbelly. Smolak had been the caretaker of Seraphine.
Further, per the warrant, on March 9, the Long Island woman provided information on each of 7 dogs she rescued from Smolak’s house, including their names and injuries. Some of the descriptions included toenails being ripped out, severe weight loss, inability to walk, bleeding wounds, and infections. One dog, Floki, who had been in Smolak’s home had facial injuries/bite wound through his jaw and needed surgery.
The 27 dogs seized on March 18 were seen by a veterinarian whose report describes injuries and some dogs with different stages of weight loss along with long unkempt nails, and feces and urine in their paws, nails and coats.
For these 36 new charges of animal cruelty, Smolak was able to post bond and is due in Litchfield Judicial District Court on April 24.
Smolak is also facing Larceny and Property Damage charges in Norwalk where she allegedly damaged her former landlord’s property. According to a release from Norwalk Police on April 1, investigation revealed extensive damage to the interior of the home Smolak rented, including broken garage and basement doors, stain marks on the walls and floors throughout the home, damaged windows and baseboards, and the presence of urine and fecal matter. Officers also found extensive damage to the lawn. In addition, officers found that outdoor lawn furniture and a washing machine had been stolen. Smolak was arrested by warrant on March 31, 2025, and charged with Criminal Damage of a Landlord’s Property 1st degree and Larceny 4th degree.
Her bond was set at $50,000 and she is due in Stamford Superior Court for these Norwalk charges on Monday, April 14.
See also:
Police Charge Winsted Woman with Animal Cruelty; 24 Dogs Removed from Home
March 18, 2025