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ALISON AGATHA LAWRENCE accused of drowning her dog in an Orlando airport bathroom after she was told she couldn’t take her dog on flight

- Florida, USA -


The Lake County Sheriff’s Office arrested 57-year-old ALISON AGATHA LAWRENCE (pictured).


LAWRENCE’s arrest is the result of an atrocious act of animal cruelty that led to death of an innocent dog.

On December 16, 2024, officers with the Orlando Police Department were called after a cleaning staff employee at Orlando International Airport discovered a deceased Poodle in a trash can in the women’s restroom.


An investigation connected LAWRENCE to the incident and a warrant was issued for her arrest.


Reportedly, LAWRENCE did not have the correct paperwork to board her dog and instead of reaching out to someone to come and pick up the dog, she drowned the Innocent Soul.


Deputies with the Lake County Sheriff’s Office arrested LAWRENCE at her Clermont home on March 18, 2025. She is facing one felony count of aggravated animal cruelty. LAWRENCE was released after posting a $5,000 bond.


Authorities did not disclose the Voiceless Victim’s name, so I took the liberty of naming him/her Biscuit for the tribute image. Should his/her given name be made public, I will rectify it accordingly.


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Voice For Us Disclaimer: Please note that details may be removed or new information added should updates become available.

In the case of charges being dropped, dismissed, or the case being purged, this article will be rectified accordingly, if official documentation is provided to Voice For Us.


LAWRENCE’s mugshot shared from the Lake County Sheriff’s Office




 
 
 

SARAH ANNE SMOLAK arrested – Twenty-seven dogs removed from her home, four of them are in critical condition

- Connecticut, USA -


Following a cruelty to animals investigation, the Winchester Police Department announced the arrest of 28-year-old SARAH ANNE SMOLAK (pictured).


Police said that on the early morning of March 18, 2025, officers went to a residence on 86 Strong Terrace in Winsted and served two arrest warrants for SMOLAK. Police explained the warrants were part of a joint investigation by the Department, the Town of Harwinton Regional Animal Control Department, and the Connecticut Department of Agriculture’s Animal Control Officers.


The investigation further led to the removal of twenty-seven (27) dogs who are being “examined, housed, and cared for locally”, said police.


The investigation into SMOLAK was launched in February 2025, shortly after she moved to Winsted when Winchester Police received a complaint from AMA Animal Rescue, regarding one of its foster dogs, a Pitbull named Marshmallow. AMA is based in Brooklyn, New York.


AMA Animal Rescue told police they entrusted Marshmallow to SMOLAK in December 2024, but Marshmallow had since disappeared and SMOLAK refused to disclose his whereabouts.


SMOLAK is charged with two counts of cruelty to animals. She was released after her arraignment on the condition to not “possess” animals.


According to a warrant for SMOLAK’s arrest, she is accused of failing to get medical treatment for Pancake and Seraphine, two dogs she had been “fostering” for animal rescue groups.


Pancake had a serious gastronomical issue causing her to lose weight but SMOLAK said it was due to her throwing up. SMOLAK took Pancake to a vet and it was determined that Pancake needed surgery. The vet reported that SMOLAK first attempted to leave with Pancake and then left leaving the furvictim behind. The vet alerted the authorities, and Pancake underwent surgery and thankfully recovered.


A second warrant described Seraphine’s condition after staying with SMOLAK for a period of time. According to the warrant, Seraphine suffered from hair loss, had open sores, was limping, and her spine and rib cage were visible.


Marshmallow was not among the twenty-seven dogs removed from SMOLAK's home on Tuesday and is still missing. AMA is offering a $2,500 reward for information on his whereabouts.


In a Facebook post AMA Animal Rescue said:

“AMA Animal Rescue acknowledges the arrest of Sarah Smolak by the Winchester Police Department on charges of animal cruelty and urges law enforcement and the public to remain vigilant in the ongoing search for Marshmallow, a missing dog last known to be in Smolak’s care.

According to the Winchester Police Department’s official press release, Smolak was arrested on two counts of animal cruelty, and twenty-four dogs were seized from her custody. This arrest confirms what we and countless animal advocates have long feared—dogs in Smolak’s care have suffered neglect, abuse, and even disappearance. In recent weeks, pet owners and animal rescues from across the country have come forward with similar horror stories about their animals, and we believe there are many more victims.

While we are relieved that Smolak has finally been held accountable for her actions, Marshmallow is still missing. He was last entrusted to her care, and she has yet to disclose his whereabouts. We urge anyone with information to come forward immediately.”


Winchester Police Chief Christopher Ciuci expressed his gratitude to advocacy groups and area law enforcement partners from as far as Long Island, NY, who provided information and assistance.


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Voice For Us Disclaimer: This story is sourced from the press release by the Winchester Police Department. Please note that details may be removed or new information added should updates become available.

In the case of charges being dropped, dismissed, or the case being purged, this article will be rectified accordingly, if official documentation is provided to Voice For Us.





 
 
 

STEFFEN EVAN BALDWIN, former Union County humane agent, sentenced for animal cruelty

- Ohio, USA -


So many people have been waiting for this….


On March 13, 2025, in Union County Common Pleas Court, Franklin County Judge Daniel Hogan sentenced 44-year-old STEFFEN EVAN BALDWIN (pictured) for animal cruelty, bribery, and other charges.


BALDWIN, alias STEFFEN FINKELSTEIN, is co-founder of the Underdog Alliance in California, former chief humane agent for the Union County Humane Society in Ohio, and former executive director of Top of Ohio Pet Shelter in Logan County also in Ohio.


Union County Court of Common Pleas records show that BALDWIN was facing fifty-three counts in total, several relating to animal abuse.


According to prosecutors, BALDWIN, who once presented himself as an animal rights activist, misled supporters into believing he was rescuing and rehabilitating dogs, instead, he needlessly euthanized innocent dogs and kept raising money for the Voiceless Victims he had already put down.


During the trial, prosecutors argued that BALDWIN used his position to deceive donors and described him as a manipulative figure. Prosecutors also said that BALDWIN euthanized at least eight dogs to make space for others he was paid to train.


Judge Hogan sentenced BALDWIN to fifteen and a half years in prison, with twenty-three days of jail credit. BALDWIN will not be eligible for release before serving at least seven years and nine months. After serving prison time, BALDWIN will be placed on a five-year probation during which time he is to be subject to random drug screening, to be ineligible to leave Ohio, and to be ineligible to own a firearm.

Additionally, the judge imposed an indefinite ban on BALDWIN “owning” companion animals in the state of Ohio.


Investigators say BALDWIN’s crimes date back years, but the case would never have come together without the help of Angelo and Litsa Kargakos, furparents of Remington, known as Remi.


Back in 2020, 10TV interviewed Litsa and Angelo. The couple said that in 2016, they reached out to BALDWIN and he was prepared to work with Remi. Litsa and Angelo gave BALDWIN $1,000 and placed their baby Remi in his care.


10TV reports that within months, Litsa “saw red flags” and asked BALDWIN to see Remi “to check on his progress but was always denied.”


The situation got to the point where Litsa threatened to go to the county commissioners if she didn’t hear from BALDWIN and she and Angelo put up posters offering a reward for more information about Remi’s whereabouts.

Only at that point BALDWIN contacted Litsa and Angelo and asked them for a mediation session with an attorney to explain what happened.


Litsa recounted the devastating facts and told 10TV: “He fabricated a story and stated that Remi broke out of his kennel and that he attacked and killed another dog, and then he had to euthanize Remi due to the wounds. I didn’t believe any aspect of the story at that point, and he said that he had to euthanize Remi due to the horrific wounds that he had, and we came to find out that Remi didn’t have one mark on him when he was euthanized.”


Litsa and Angelo created a Facebook Group in honor of their baby Remi, Justice 4 Remi. Part of a post published after BALDWIN’s sentence read: “We can finally close this chapter of our lives and begin to heal from the loss of Remi. I know that Remi did not die in vain. I know that Remi’s death triggered the investigation that helped 18 total dogs get justice against the monster who stole their lives. I know that because of Remi Steffen Baldwin will be serving a substantial prison sentence. I know because of Remi no more animals will be hurt under Steffens care.”


Just like Litsa, I too wish BALDWIN would have gotten life in prison!


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Voice For Us Disclaimer: Please note that details may be removed or new information added should updates become available.


BALDWIN’s mugshot shared from the Tri-County Regional Jail




 
 
 

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