Cincinnati woman accused of leaving dogs in urine-soaked kennel without food or water

CINCINNATI (WKRC) – A North Avondale woman is accused of neglecting her pets to the point where they nearly died.

Lavira Sweeten appeared in court Wednesday charged with several counts of animal cruelty.

Sweeten is accused of torturing her two dogs by leaving them outside in cages without food, water or protection from the weather. A neighbor called in with a tip about the circumstances.

The animals were reportedly forced to lie in their own feces and several inches of urine.

Hamilton County dog ​​wardens say the dogs had urine burns all over their bodies and one of the dogs was emaciated.

“The smaller dog, who was only 8 months old, appeared extremely emaciated. You could see his ribs. The spine was prominent, the hip bones were prominent. There was fur missing on his head. He was shivering. You could see they were both drenched with urine. The rain from the previous night was also easy to get on them.”

The dog wardens also say Sweeten was combative.

A judge set her bond at $24,000 and ordered her not to have any contact with animals until the dog manager gives her permission.

The dogs are now in the care of Cincinnati Animal Care.