The Auburn Police Department took 18-year-old Taylor Colbert—a student at Southern Union Community College—into custody on Jan. 14 on charges of aggravated cruelty to animals.
Colbert voluntarily turned herself into Auburn Police and was subsequently taken to the Lee County Jail and held on a $5,000 bond.
The arrest follows an investigation into a complaint received on Jan. 5, 2025, regarding a deceased household pet at an apartment building on Opelika Road. Auburn Animal Control and police responded to the scene, where evidence suggested the animal's death violated Alabama state law 13A-11-14.1, which governs aggravated cruelty to animals. After identifying Colbert as a suspect, authorities obtained a felony warrant for her arrest.
In order to convict Colbert under this statute, prosecutors will be required to establish that Colbert intentionally or knowingly subjected the animal to cruel neglect involving the infliction of torture.
Charges of aggravated cruelty to animals carry the weight of a Class C Felony in Alabama. The standard sentence for such a charge is between 366 days and 10 years in prison. Fines for such crimes can be up to $15,000.
The deceased animal, a husky puppy named Sky, belonged to Colbert. Authorities allege that Colbert left Sky confined in a crate in her apartment during her winter break.
Before Colbert’s return, a roommate reportedly returned home and smelled an odor from the residence where she discovered the deceased puppy in a pink crate and contacted Auburn Animal Control. Witnesses have posted videos online showing the lifeless animal.
A screenshot Colbert allegedly posted on her social media apologizing and repudiating death threats circulated online, though The Auburn Plainsman cannot currently verify the validity of the post.
Auburn Police have shared updates on the case through an official news release. The investigation remains ongoing.
This is an ongoing story. The Auburn Plainsman will update the article once more information is released.
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