ST. CROIX — A woman was arrested for allegedly leaving her cat and dog for dead, with investigators finding the animals badly malnourished in the woman’s apartments, V.I.P.D. Public Information Officer Glen Dratte announced Wednesday.
According to Mr. Dratte, on Friday June 30, at around 3:15 pm Alicia M. Eriksen, 25, was detained at the Henry E. Rolshen Airport prior to boarding a flight. Ms. Eriksen was arrested pursuant to a warrant issued by the VI Superior Court for first-degree animal cruelty.
According to the affidavit submitted by the V.I.P.D.’s Animal Cruelty investigator, in January, Ms. Eriksen abandoned her cat in an apartment where she used to reside and failed to provide food and water for the animal.
After several days and/or weeks, the cat was found inside the apartment in a severe emaciated condition and taken to the St. Croix Animal Welfare Center where it was humanely euthanized by a veterinarian due to its poor condition.
While conducting a follow-up investigation, the investigator learned that Ms. Eriksen also resided in a La Grande Princess home where a dog was locked up inside the house without proper care, according to Mr. Dratte. After a closer inspection of the home, a medium size dog was observed inside the house, it too in an emaciated condition.
Several failed attempts were made to contact the owner of the house and/or the owner of the dog, which forced the investigator to obtain a search warrant which was later executed. The dog was saved and taken to the St. Croix Animal Welfare Center for medical treatment.
If you know of anyone neglecting animals, call the V.I.P.D. Animal Cruelty Unit at 340 778 2211, Crime Stoppers USVI at 1800 222 TIPS or 911.
Ms. Eriksen posted $3,000 bail, and was released pending advise-of-rights hearing at the VI Superior Court.
Tags: 25, Alicia M. Eriksen
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