Authorities: 25 dogs seized after dead animals found stored in refrigerators at Gwinnett home

Written by: A. Smith

Published December 30, 2025 @ 12:05 PM ET

GWINNETT COUNTY, Ga. – Two women wanted in connection with a severe animal cruelty case involving abused and dead dogs at a Gwinnett County home were taken into custody Tuesday, police said.

Christine Abbott, 67, and Donna Slavin, 65, were arrested on 26 counts of animal cruelty, including both felony and misdemeanor charges, according to the Gwinnett County Police Department. The charges stem from a September investigation at a home on Britt Drive.

Officers said they responded to the residence after receiving reports of animal cruelty. When investigators searched the home, they seized 25 dogs that were living in what police described as deplorable conditions.

Inside the house, officers found 13 plastic bags containing dead dogs stored in three separate refrigerators. Police said the animals were in varying stages of decomposition.

“It was definitely deplorable conditions,” Gwinnett County police Cpl. Angela Carter said. “Horrific for the animals and even for any human being living in that residence.” Detectives who went to the scene said it was probably one of the “worst scenes that they’ve ever witnessed.”

Neighbors said the situation had been troubling for years.

Police said many of the dogs seized were malnourished and underweight.

Gwinnett County officials said the 25 surviving dogs are now in the care of the county animal shelter, where they are receiving medical treatment and appropriate care.

The case remains under investigation.