RED WING, Minn. - A Red Wing woman faces child endangerment and animal cruelty charges after authorities took seven dogs and 19 cats from her home this spring.
Dianna Fay Lyng, 41, was booked into the Goodhue County Adult Detention Center on June 25. She was charged with one count of child endangerment and two counts of overwork/mistreat animals -- as well as animal waste and licensing violations -- in a court complaint filed April 30.
According to the complaint, a friend of Lyng’s daughter reported poor living conditions in Lyng’s home March 3. Lyng would not let the responding officer in, but told him six dogs and seven cats -- as well as her 12-, 17- and 18-year-old children -- were living there, the complaint states.
A search warrant was executed March 27. Six full-grown dogs, one puppy, five cats and 14 kittens were taken to the Goodhue County Humane Society. The dogs were either undernourished or overweight. Several cats had head injuries caused by head shaking and scratching due to severe ear mites.
Authorities also said there was no insulation or sheetrock in an upstairs bedroom, wiring in the living room ceiling was exposed and they could see through the upstairs floor. A representative from Goodhue County Public Health said he was concerned for the children’s welfare due to “ongoing lead exposure that may be in the home.”
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Lyng’s first court appearance is set for Sept. 19.
