Animal Cruelty Case Reveals Extent of Abuse At Shelter

Many were undernourished, carrying infectious diseases and roaming in their own waste.

Fifty-four dogs and 12 cats were adopted, Sylvester said. About 40 animals were euthanized because of illness or aggressive temperaments.

During the trial, Cortes wept as a veterinarian who inspected the animals described their conditions and the reasons many had to be euthanized.

In testimony, Cortes said Dodson ignored her orders with regard to caring for the animals.

"She wasn't doing what I was asking her to do," Cortes said of Dodson.

Dodson testified that she had told Cortes that animals were in poor health but that dogs were taken to the vet "a few times."

Cortes and Dodson were also charged in a similar case by Fairfax County authorities stemming from the removal of six dogs from a vacant house in the Alexandria area in July.

Last week, Dodson pleaded guilty in that case to one count of grand larceny of an animal and one count of animal cruelty. She is awaiting sentencing next month.

Cortes will stand trial Nov. 5 for three counts of grand larceny of an animal and six counts of animal cruelty, said Erin Sylvester, Fairfax assistant commonwealth's attorney.