Editor’s Note: The following article contains photographs and details that may be disturbing. Reader discretion is advised.
STERLING, Va. (DC News Now) — Officials charged a woman in Sterling with animal cruelty after they found two dead dogs and one emaciated dog in her home.
On Oct. 31, Loudoun County Animal Services (LCAS) officers responded to Sugarland Drive after a call about a stray dog. Officers said that the 10-year-old dog had a microchip, which led them to 70-year-old Sandra Ulrike Landgraf’s home.
When officers went inside, the house was empty. Officials discovered that two other dogs “had also been left inside the home for an extended period of time.”
The Sheriff’s Office and Fire Marshal’s Office joined LCAS in executing a search warrant on Nov. 4. That’s when they discovered Landgraf’s home “to be consistent with extreme hoarding and also found the remains of two Chinese Crested mix dogs.”
Officers finally got in touch with Landgraf, who said that she had not been home since at least spring 2024. She told officers that the dogs had not been given food or water since she last went home.
The dog that was found on the streets, Elvis, was the only surviving dog. LCAS believes that Elvis was able to escape in October and survived by eating trash, rodents, insects and the other dogs’ remains.
If convicted of a Class 6 felony, Landgraf could face a prison sentence of one to five years and/or a fine of up to $2,500.
“This case is heartbreaking, in that the suffering of these dogs was completely preventable,” said Director of Animal Services Nina Stively. “At LCAS, we offer a judgement-free zone for surrendering a pet that you can no longer care for. We always want to support our community’s pet owners, but there is no excuse to move out and leave your pets without food, water or care.”
Landgraf is scheduled to appear in the Loudoun’s General District Court on Dec. 10, 2024.
