A Connecticut minister was arrested after several of her dogs died while suffering from chemical burns and neurological issues.
Trinity Episcopal Church Pastor Lisa Levy, 48, was charged with five counts of animal cruelty after officials in Hamden said they noted a concerning pattern.
Her arrest on February 20 came after five dogs sustained medical issues, with two succumbing to their injuries in the last year.
The animals - Chanco, Zuba, Yelenda, Wanda and Steve - all suffered from problems, according to her arrest affidavit obtained by the New Haven Register.
Officials said the pups' symptoms included 'burned flesh/skin lesions, neurological symptoms, cough, vomiting, seizures, fractures, collapsing, not able to walk.'
Zuba, Steve and Wanda died from their injuries in just the last year.
Levy came to the authorities' attention after she brought Chanco to Central Hospital for Veterinary Medicine with 'horrendous burns' seemingly caused by a chemical, per the affidavit.
She adopted the animal with her boyfriend, Issak Cuenco, just six weeks prior, per NBC CT.
Trinity Episcopal Church Pastor Lisa Levy, 48, was charged with five counts of animal cruelty after several of her dogs sustained chemical burns before their deaths
Lisa Levy pictured with Steve. The dog reportedly died from sever injuries while in Levy's care
Levy reportedly told veterinarians that Chanco had entered the bathtub after it was cleaned with bleach.
But Cuenco told them the tub was cleared out before he bathed Chanco.
Police obtained video of Chanco hiding behind furniture and collapsing with patches of fur and even skin missing.
A veterinarian contacted North Haven Animal Control to find that they already had allegations against Levy. No charges have been filed against her boyfriend.
When police interviewed Levy, she told them her boyfriend was home with her dogs any time they suffered any issues.
But he told police: 'Every few months there had been bad news with an animal,' per the affidavit.
'Certain dogs will be perfectly fine, then have issues. Accidents started happening, she would tell him that they fell down the stairs.'
Levy's dog Zuba was reportedly adopted last July and died in September after Levy claimed the animal had a seizure.
According to an arrest affidavit, Levy housed 13 animals in the last three and a half years
According to the report, Zuba had patches of fur missing and red sores at the time.
Yelenda was adopted last June and returned to the rescue the same month with wounds and neurological issues, officials said.
Steve died in January, but was taken to the vet multiple times for limping, cough and lesions, per the affidavit.
Wanda was adopted in February 2025 and quickly suffered an injured tail and lost her ability to walk, according to police. She died the following May.
In the past three and a half years, Levy reportedly housed 13 animals. Four died, five were euthanized and at least three went missing, per WTNH.
Police said they traced Levy's connection with ill dogs and cats all the way back to 2011.
Some of them had the same symptoms as her most recent pets, including seizures and skin lesions.
Levy's church placed her on administrative leave amid her arrest. She was released on a $15,000 bond
Levy served as a Community Care Minister at Trinity Episcopal in New Haven.
Fellow pastoral staff members released a statement on Thursday after her charges came to light.
'As we gather more information, we are placing Lisa on administrative leave,' it read in part.
'We are keeping Lisa in our prayers and all those impacted by this situation. This is a tragic situation, and we grieve it.
'As people of faith, we know that what God has made is sacred. As people whose lives are enriched by the companionship of animals, we know they must be treated with care, respect, and dignity.'
Levy was released from jail on a $15,000 bond and is scheduled to be arraigned on March 6.
The Daily Mail contacted Levy, Trinity Episcopal Church, Hamden Police and Connecticut and Hamden Animal Control for comment.