Ga. woman charged with animal cruelty in Conn.

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) -- Connecticut agriculture officials on Monday accused a Georgia woman of trying to adopt out a dozen sick cats and dogs and charged her with animal cruelty.

Donna Lee Carswell of Grovetown, Ga., was arrested in Madison on Saturday.

The Department of Agriculture said it conducted a sting operation after receiving complaints from consumers and the Rhode Island state veterinarian that Carswell was adopting out sick animals to Connecticut and Rhode Island residents.

Carswell said she is not familiar with Connecticut law. She said she takes care of the animals, but some cats were ill.

Undercover officers met Carswell in a commuter parking lot, offering to purchase a dog. Agriculture officials said they seized 10 cats and two dogs in filthy enclosures.

The cats exhibited symptoms of respiratory distress and two were euthanized.