Md. Woman Acquitted In Deaths Of Pets At Home

COLUMBIA, Md. (AP) -- A Maryland woman charged after several dozen animals were found dead inside her townhouse has been acquitted of all charges.

The Baltimore Sun reports that a jury found Elizabeth Lindenau, of Columbia, not guilty Friday of 18 counts of animal neglect.

Her husband, Brady Decker, testified that he was responsible for caring for the animals but stopped visiting the townhouse about a month before 40 were found dead. The animals included birds, cats and rabbits, among others.

Decker is also charged and is awaiting trial.

Lindenau issued a statement expressing relief for the verdict and saying her heart was broken by the animals' death.

She was initially indicted on 69 counts. Prosecutors dropped nine before trial and a judge acquitted her of 42 charges during the trial.

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