7 pets left in 'extremely shocking conditions,' say Calgary police

Seven animals have been seized and two women have been charged after a joint investigation by the Calgary Police Service and the Calgary Humane Society. 

On Tuesday, police were called to a home on Erin Meadow Close in southeast Calgary after neighbours reported they could hear animals in the home but hadn't seen the residents for a period of days.

Police entered the home to check on the residents and the animals, finding five dogs and two cats inside.

According to police, the animals were living in "unsuitable conditions."

"This was a sad case of neglect where animals were left in extremely shocking conditions," said Const. Dennis Smithson with Calgary police in a release.

"In these types of situations, we work closely with our partners at the Calgary Humane Society to review the evidence and ensure that the individuals involved are held accountable."

Due to the condition of the home and the state of the animals, two women — Stacey Lynn Hodess, 44, and Nicole Dawn Veronelly, 40, both of Calgary — were taken into custody.

Hodess and Veronelly have been charged with seven counts each of causing pain and suffering to an animal and unnecessarily causing animals to suffer. Both are scheduled to appear in court on Oct. 8.

Brad Nichols, senior manager of animal cruelty investigations with the Calgary Humane Society, said the environment the animals were living in was detrimental to their well-being, warranting the charges.

"The animals are now safely under treatment," he said in a release. "We are grateful to have such a robust multi-agency animal cruelty response in Calgary that allows for joint investigations like this."