LACOMBE, La. — A Lacombe woman was arrested Monday on multiple animal cruelty charges after deputies discovered six dogs in severe distress and two deceased dogs inside her home.

St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office deputies, accompanied by St. Tammany Parish Animal Control, responded to a residence in the 60000 block of S. Pontchartrain Drive following a report of a dog not being properly cared for.

The sheriff’s office said when deputies arrived, they found four severely malnourished dogs and two others suffering from significant injuries.

While searching the home, which the sheriff described as being in deplorable condition, deputies also located the bodies of two deceased dogs. Animal Control took custody of the six living dogs.

The homeowner, 57-year-old Kathleen Leatherman, was bo

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