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STOCKTON, Tooele County — A Tooele County woman accused of locking a dog in an outside kennel for four days without food or water has been arrested.
Kristin Rasmussen, 33, of Stockton, was charged Friday in Stockton Justice Court with animal cruelty and for having a stray animal, both class B misdemeanors, as well as a dog license infraction. A warrant was issued for her arrest and she was picked up by police on Tuesday.
The investigation began on Sept. 8 when Stockton police received a report of a Great Pyrenees running loose, according to a prepared statement from the department.
"Stockton police responded to the area and learned that several neighbors had witnessed the dog running from the property belonging to Kristin Rasmussen. And that the dog had been placed back in her yard," police stated.
When questioned, Rasmussen claimed she had been out of town, had never seen the dog before and that someone had just dropped it off on her property, according to police. She requested that officers take the dog and impound it.
"Stockton police noted the dog was underweight and seemed skittish around people," the department stated.
A picture of the dog was posted on the police department's Facebook page in an effort to find the owner. Officers then received a tip that the dog had previously been seen on Rasmussen's property.
"The dog was reportedly locked in a kennel with no food, water, or shelter since Saturday, Sept. 4. ... A total of 4 days," police said.
Detectives further learned that on Sept. 4, Rasmussen had contacted a man who originally owned the dog but was giving the animal away to a "good home," police stated.
"He stated that Kristin requested the dog, promising a good home. The man stated the dog was happy and healthy in his care," according to police.
On Tuesday, a search was performed on Rasmussen's phone, including her social media accounts, during which police confirmed that she had indeed been in contact with the original dog owner and that her claims of having no prior knowledge of the dog were not sure, police stated.
