Winchester woman arrested for animal cruelty; 24 dog seized

(WTNH) | by: Bailey Wright | March 18, 2025 |

WINCHESTER, Conn. — A Winstead woman is facing animal cruelty charges after Winchester police say at least 24 dogs have been seized as part of an ongoing investigation.

Sarah Smolak, 28, was charged with two counts of cruelty to animals. She was arrested Tuesday on two warrants.

Police said the warrants are part of an investigation conducted by the Winchester Police Department, Town of Harwinton Regional Animal Control Department, and Animal Control Officers with the State of Connecticut Department of Agriculture.

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The dozens of dogs seized in the investigation are being examined, housed, and cared for locally, police said, thanking the advocacy groups and law enforcement agencies from as far as Long Island, New York for their help.

Smolak was held on a $150,000 court-set bond and transported to the Litchfield Judicial District Courthouse on Tuesday.

Anyone with information about the Winchester investigation is asked to contact police at (860) 379-2721 or jcrean@townofwinchester.org. Harwinton officials can be reached at (860) 485-9051 Ext. 1129 or animalcontrol@harwinton.us.