9:05 p.m. EDT, September 27, 2010
Elizabeth Harrington
Reporter WDBJ7

Franklin County woman faces 24 counts of animal cruelty
Authorities seized 13 animals from her property

FRANKLIN COUNTY, Va —

Authorities say a Franklin County woman wasn’t taking care of her animals leaving them emaciated.

49-year-old Heidi Sendall is charged with 24 counts of animal cruelty.

Capt. Marvin Woods says they seized 13 animals from Sendall’s property in Ferrum. There are 5 dogs, 4 horses, 2 calves, a donkey and a pony.

“The great danes one of them was so thin my hand could cover his back,” says Capt. Woods, “He only weighed 72 pounds. Bones, ribs were all showing. Very, Very emaciated.”

Capt. Marvin Woods says Sendall believed she was taking good care of the animals.

In April, Woods sent a letter to Sendall ordering her to feed the animals according to a state veteranarian’s recommendations.

Sendall is due in court this Thursday.

The Roanoke Valley Horse Rescue is now caring for the horses, calves, pony and donkey. The five dogs are at the Franklin County Animal Hospital in Rocky Mount.