Local woman charged with animal cruelty

WINCHESTER — A local woman has been charged with animal cruelty after allegedly putting a dog in a Dumpster late last summer.

June Elizabeth Leonard, 50, of Woodstock Lane, was arrested Monday and charged with cruelty to animals and companion animal care.

The incident occurred Sept. 11, when officers found a 2-year-old male Yorkshire terrier in a Dumpster on National Avenue.

Winchester Police Department spokeswoman Lauren Cummings said the investigation led officers to Leonard, who was not located until Monday.

Cummings did not know the condition of the dog at the time he was found or how long he had been in the Dumpster.

She said the case remains under investigation.

— Contact Melissa Boughton at mboughton@winchesterstar.com