Winchester woman arrested after failing to turn over missing dog

NBCCT | August 5, 2025 |

A Winchester woman has been arrested in connection with a dog that has been missing for months.

Sarah Smolak turned herself in on Monday and was charged with sixth-degree larceny by possession, according to police.

Smolak had been ordered by a judge to return a dog named Marshmallow to Angels for Mistreated Animals, a New York-based shelter, by July 28, but she failed to do so.

According to court documents, Smolak signed a contract agreeing to foster Marshmallow in December and was required to return him upon demand. The documents said she stopped answering the rescue and sharing proof of life for Marshmallow.

Smolak claims she didn't and doesn't have Marshmallow, according to court documents.

Police were first tipped off that Smolak had Marshmallow and hadn’t returned him in February by a group called AMA Rescue, that had fostered Marshmallow in the past.

The animal groups and police still don't know where Marshmallow is.

Smolak is already facing several animal cruelty charges from earlier this year after police say they found more than two dozen dogs in unsafe conditions under Smolak's care. They came across the dogs while searching for Marshmallow, police said.

Smolak was released on $5,000 bond on Monday and is scheduled to appear in court on Aug. 15.