13 puppies dead after being set on fire and abandoned

LEXINGTON, Ky. (ABC 36 NEWSNOW) — Lexington Animal Care and Control is searching for a suspect after they found 13 puppies on the side of Todds Road near North Cleveland.

Animal Cruelty Investigator Lieutenant Jai Hamilton says three puppies were alive when they arrived at the scene on Wednesday. Since then, all have died due to their injuries.

“I would describe the scene as a murder scene,” Lt. Hamilton said. “It was very difficult for me to see personally, and for our staff to go through seeing the puppies in distress with burn marks on them.”

Governor Andy Beshear signed Ethan’s Law after the 2024 Legislative Session. This law makes animal cruelty a felony here in the Commonwealth.

Senator Julie Raque Adams says she hopes this helps to curb animal abuse across the Bluegrass.

“Now, with it being a felony, law enforcement feels like they have more tools at their disposal to really shut down these abuses,” Sen. Adams said.

Hamilton says they are working to find whoever did this, so they can bring them to court. She’s asking for anyone who may have seen suspicious activity on Todds Road to come forward. You can reach the Lieutenant at (859) 255-9033 extension 229.

“Every day we see horrible cases of neglect, but this is different because somebody intentionally and maliciously did this to innocent babies,” she said.