Animal cruelty case continued

By Amanda Stewart

Published: August 14, 2008

Trials for two women charged with animal cruelty have been continued to October.

Sandra Irene Cortes, 44, of 4004 Rose Lane in Annandale, and Brenda Elizabeth Dodson, 30, of 7605 Old Centre-ville Road near Manassas Park, were scheduled to appear in Prince William General District Court today on 28 counts each of animal cruelty.

Their trials were continued to Oct. 1.

The women operated Assisi's Animal Rescue Foundation at 7605 Old Centreville Road near Manassas Park.

The women were arrested in July after a two-month police investigation of the rescue.

Police searched the rescue building in May after receiving an animal cruelty complaint from someone who had adopted a puppy from there.

According to an affidavit filed in Prince William Circuit Court, police found dozens of dogs at the rescue in crowded cages some without access to food and water. Some of the dogs were malnourished and others had parasites, police said at the time.

At the time of the search, Cortes surrendered 100 dogs and cats to the county, according to court documents.

The women also face six animal cruelty charges in Fairfax County. They are scheduled to appear in Fairfax General District Court on those charges on Sept. 9.

Each animal cruelty charge is punishable by up to 12 months and jail and a fine of up to $2,500.

Staff writer Amanda Stewart can be reached at 703-878-8014.