3 dead dogs, emaciated pit bull found in Malta

A Malta woman is facing animal cruelty charges after state police discovered three dead dogs on her property and animal feces and urine throughout her home.

Shayna L. Tabachneck, 39, a resident of the Malta Gardens mobile home park on Route 9, was charged with two felony counts of aggravated cruelty to animals under Buster’s Law, one count of improper disposal of a dead animal (violation), failure to provide sustenance to an animal (misdemeanor), and endangering the welfare of a child (misdemeanor). She lived in the home with her 14-year-old son.

State police began investigating the property on Tuesday after neighbors detected a strong odor coming from the home and reported the “suspicious disappearance” of dogs and cats that had typically been seen outside the home.

After a brief search of the property, state troopers found two dead dogs in garbage bags in a shed behind the home. Further investigation led them to discover a dead dog in a bedroom at the home, an emaciated young Pitbull and five cats. The cats were all in “fair health,” police said.

A cause of death has yet to be determined for the dogs, and officials are considering ordering autopsies. All remaining animals at the property were seized.

Police say living conditions at the home were “very poor,” with feces and urine throughout the home.

The teenage boy living there was taken in by relatives at the time of Tabachneck’s arrest.

Tabachnek was arraigned Tuesday in the Town of Malta Court and held in Saratoga County Jail in lieu of $2,500 cash bail or $5,000 bond.

The Village of Ballston Spa Animal Control helped state police with the investigation and removal of animals.