Five dogs were found dead on a property in Marlborough, Connecticut. At least seven more were rescued alive, living in conditions no animal should ever face. I'm asking Hartford State's Attorney Sharmese Walcott to pursue every charge in this case, and to make sure the surviving dogs are never sent back to that place.

Here's what we know from news reports. After a health-and-safety inspection on Aug. 31, state troopers and an animal control officer from the Connecticut Department of Agriculture checked on the animals. The arrest warrant describes problems with sanitation, food and water, and electrical hazards, along with dead animals on the property. Police say the tip came from a man arrested there on an unrelated warrant, who told them he'd been paid to feed the dogs.

Two people have now been charged. One faces 11 counts of animal cruelty, tied to the five dogs that died and six that survived, plus a count of tampering with evidence. The other faces one cruelty count. Both are due in court in Manchester on Oct. 2.

Nobody has been convicted yet, and everyone deserves a fair trial. But these dogs deserve justice too, and they can't speak for themselves.

Connecticut law already has real teeth here. A cruelty conviction comes with a court order banning the person from owning or living with animals for five years. That protection only works if the charges hold up in court.

I'm also asking Agriculture Commissioner Bryan Hurlburt to make sure every seized dog gets the medical care it needs and a real chance at a safe, loving home.

Sign the petition before the Oct. 2 court date to show prosecutors that Connecticut is watching and expects justice for these dogs.