Police: 4 dogs found dead, 1 malnourished at Moores Hill home

(MOORES HILL, Ind.) – A Moores Hill woman is facing charges after several deceased dogs were found on her property. 

The Dearborn County Sheriff’s Department began an investigation last month into possible animal neglect at a home owned by 50-year-old Kari Hawkins on State Road 350 near Raymond Lane. 

A search warrant led police to finding four dead dogs and one that was malnourished, according to court documents. 

Investigators say two of the dead dogs were decomposing in the backyard, while two others were found deceased inside the home. 

Police said the German Shepard that was found alive had Lyme Disease and Ehrlichia. It was place in the custody of Dearborn County Animal Control. 

Court documents show that the dogs did not have access to fresh water and while there was dog food was on the property, it was not accessible to the animals. 

A veterinarian with the Indiana State Board of Animal Health evaluated on-scene photos and concluded that the dogs suffered from a lack of adequate care for weeks or months.

Police say Hawkins had moved into an apartment in Lawrenceburg around August. 

Hawkins has been charged with five counts of Cruelty to an Animal (Level 6 Felony), five counts of Cruelty to an Animal (Class A Misdemeanor) and five counts Abandonment or Neglected Animal (Class A Misdemeanor).

She was arrested on November 4 and currently remains behind bars at the Dearborn County Law Enforcement Center.