News

Woman charged with 15 counts of animal cruelty in hoarding case

Stacy Rose is charged with 15 counts of felony animal cruelty, three counts of misdemeanor animal cruelty, seven counts of misdemeanor failure to bury deceased dogs and a misdemeanor count of resisting an officer.

By Lightning Reports, Published: March 20, 2025

When Henderson County Sheriff's Office detectives responded to a report of three Saint Bernard dogs running at large in Horse Shoe, they found upon further investigation 15 dogs in deplorable conditions inside and outside the home and charged their owner with multiple counts of animal cruelty.

Upon locating the dogs running at large, the two officers contacted their owner, Stacy Rose, and asked her to retrieve the canines. However, due to the condition of the animals, the detectives accompanied Rose to her home for further investigation. Because Rose is listed on the Henderson County registry as owning more than 10 canines, deputies are entitled to inspect her property.

When Rose led officers to a shed where the three dogs had been kept, they found shed’s condition to be deplorable, with feces covering the floor. In addition, the officers discovered seven dead dogs in trash bags, most showing signs of severe decomposition.
 
After further investigation, Rose voluntarily surrendered the three dogs that had been running at large. Inside the home, officers saw that other dogs were being kept under similar conditions. A search warrant was obtained and executed, resulting in the seizure of 15 dogs—10 from inside the home and five from the backyard. She was charged with 15 counts of felony animal cruelty, three counts of misdemeanor animal cruelty, seven counts of misdemeanor failure to bury deceased dogs and a misdemeanor count of resisting an officer.

Following her arrest, Rose appeared before a magistrate, who set a secured bond at $126,500. She was released after posting bond.
"Law enforcement does not determine the conditions of release," the sheriff's office said in a news release. "Only a judicial official, such as a magistrate or judge, has the authority to set a bond or other conditions for release."

 
Sheriff Lowell Griffin thanked the animal enforcement team and all those who assisted and said his office would continue to remain vigilant in ensuring the safety and well-being of all animals in Henderson County. People may report animal cruelty or neglect concerns to the sheriff's office office via the “submit a tip” feature on the mobile app.