Woman indicted on 69 cts of animal abuse

COLUMBIA, Md. (WMAR) - A Howard County grand jury indicted a Columbia woman on 69 counts of animal cruelty charges after 40 dead animals were found in her townhouse in January.

Elizabeth Martha Lindenau, 40, was arrested Thursday night by Howard County Sheriff's Deputies.

The grand jury initially sealed the indictment, but today unsealed it, following her arrest.

Lindenau is charged with 23 counts of abuse or neglect of an animal, 23 counts of animal cruelty- failure to provide and 23 counts of aggravated cruelty to animals.

The first two charges are misdemeanors and hold a maximum sentence of 90 days in prison and a $1,000 fine on each of the counts. The aggravated cruelty charge is a felony and holds a maximum sentence of 3 years in prison and a $5,000 fine for each count.

On January 16, police and animal control officers responded to the 9600 block of Lambeth Court for reports of an odor coming from a townhouse. Once inside, officers discovered 40 dead animals and 4 live animals in poor condition.

Lindenau's bail was set to $50,000 following her arrest. Her arraignment is set for April 20.