Woman Charged with Animal Cruelty in Virginia

Sandra Ulrike Landgraf, a 70-year-old woman from Sterling, Virginia, has been charged with two counts of felony animal cruelty and one count of misdemeanor animal cruelty after officers discovered two dead dogs and one emaciated dog in her care. The investigation began on October 31 when a stray dog, later identified as Elvis, was found in poor condition, leading authorities to Landgraf's empty home. Following a search warrant executed on November 4, officials reported extreme hoarding conditions and the remains of two other dogs that had been left without food or water for an extended period. Landgraf admitted to not entering her home since spring 2024 and claimed the dogs had not been cared for since then. Elvis likely survived by escaping through a gap in the fence and scavenging trash, rodents, insects, and the bodies of the deceased dogs. Landgraf is scheduled to appear in court on December 10, 2024, facing potential prison time and fines if convicted.