LOUISVILLE, Ky. – A 52-year-old woman, Vallary Amato, has been arrested and charged with eight counts of animal cruelty and one violation of a Metro Louisville ordinance after eight dogs were found abandoned in a house with feces piled several feet high. The dogs were supposed to be cared for at the home of Amato’s son and her son’s boyfriend, but they were only visited once a week for feeding. It remains uncertain if her son and son’s boyfriend will also face charges in the case.
Neighbors reported the situation to Louisville Metro Animal Services (LMAS) after observing that the two men had not been living at the home for months, appearing to have abandoned both the home and the dogs. Despite three visits by animal control officers, nobody was home, and it wasn’t until mid-November that one of the men agreed to let the dogs be removed from the residence. The dogs, found in a room covered in feces and in a state of unsocialization, were then placed with foster families after being cleaned and groomed at LMAS.
Stephanie Jackson, a spokesperson for Louisville Metro Animal Services, declined to comment on the specifics of the case or to identify the two additional co-defendants listed. However, she did confirm that all the dogs had been placed with foster families after being removed from the unsanitary conditions of the home.
Amato has been arraigned and her bond set at $2,500, with an order not to have any contact with animals. She is scheduled to appear in court on January 8. The case serves as a reminder of the importance of responsible pet ownership and the legal consequences that can arise from animal neglect and cruelty.