A Lansford woman faces charges of cruelty and neglect to animals related to a malnourished female dog and puppies she reported as abandoned in her yard last month.

Borough police charged Dawn James, 25, of East Bertsch Street, with misdemeanor counts of cruelty to animals and neglect of animals this week. She is scheduled to appear before District Judge Beth Dodson on the charges on June 12.

According to court papers, Carbon County Animal Shelter director Tom Connors received a call from James regarding a mother dog and three newborn puppies abandoned on her back porch April 26.

James told Connors that the dogs belonged to her ex-boyfriend, who lives in the same block.

Connors picked up the dogs, and observed the mother dog was extremely malnourished and in very unhealthy condition. The female dog appeared to be suffering from starvation, as her rib cage was showing, court papers said.

The puppies appeared to be in fair condition, as they were still receiving nourishment from their mother.

Both the female dog and puppies were photographed and the pictures posted on social media. Several people came forward with information that the dogs belonged to James, court papers said.

Connors also learned that the female dog actually had a litter of nine puppies, and that James was trying to sell the puppies for $300 each.

Lansford Detective Joshua Tom talked to James, who told them that she had possession of the dog and puppies, but the dog was in poor condition when her ex-boyfriend gave her the dog to watch.

Tom followed up with the ex-boyfriend, who admitted it was his dog but that he surrendered the dog to James in the beginning of February.

Tom consulted with Connors, who related that female dog could have never given birth in her current health.

Both Tom and Connors tracked down the other six puppies from the litter and reunited them with their mother this week. Tom credited neighbors for their assistance in finding the puppies.

The female dog, who they learned was named Zelda, and her puppies should soon be available for adoption at the Carbon County Animal Shelter in Nesquehoning. Those interested in adopting should call the shelter first at 570-325-4828 before visiting.