8 Dead Pets Found In Foreclosed Lebanon Home: Police

LEBANON, CT — A woman has been arrested after the bodies of eight deceased pets, including seven dogs and one cat, were found recently in her foreclosed residence, officials said.

Christine Banta, 36, was arrested on April 21, according to state police.

Banta is facing eight counts of cruelty to animals, and she is next due to appear in Superior Court in Norwich on June 8.

The Northeastern Connecticut Council of Governments’ Animal Service division secured the warrant for Banta’s arrest.

State police served the warrant when Banta appeared in court for a prior cruelty to animals case. She was previously arrested in December, state Judicial Branch records show.

Officials said the dead animals were found inside the foreclosed home at 11 Adam Heights Circle, and there were signs the animals endured starvation and neglect. The animals included a cat, six black Labrador Retriever puppies, and an adult Pitbull mix, documents show.

It was not immediately clear how long the dead animals had been in the house. A foreclosure action was initiated against Banta for the property in early 2025, with the court issuing a judgment of foreclosure by sale in December. A public auction foreclosure sale was advertised for Feb. 28 of this year, court records show.

Zilla Cannamela, president and co-founder of Desmond's Army Animal Law Advocates, said, “We are profoundly disappointed that despite prior arrests, repeated warnings, and clear red flags, the courts, police, and animal control officers failed to protect these innocent animals from neglect, abuse, suffering, and death. The system failed, people failed, and now there needs to be justice and accountability. Desmond's Army Animal Law Advocates won't rest until we get that. There is no excuse. This should not have happened. Full stop."