The Winsted woman who’s facing 42 counts of animal cruelty out of Winsted and Norwalk was arraigned Monday on a new charge of violating the conditions of her release.

Sarah Smolak was arrested again last week after police found two cats and a turtle in her home, according to the warrant. Smolak, who fostered, trained and boarded dogs for years, has been barred from having animals since her initial arrest last March.

“This person clearly isn't learning from her mistakes—her repetitive behavior and pattern of just not caring,” stated Caroline Plank, a volunteer with AMA Animal Rescue, after court.

Smolak appeared at the Litchfield Judicial District Courthouse in Torrington on her prior cases, too, and was told she’ll have to undergo a psychiatric evaluation as part her attempt to get those charges wiped from her record.

Plank was one of several animal advocates who'd planned to speak in court Monday against Smolak's prior application for accelerated rehabilitation. AR is a court-program that if successfully completed, allows first time offenders of some crimes to have their cases dropped. But at the courthouse, Smolak withdrew that application and put in one for the supervised diversionary program. SDP is a pre-trial program that’s monitored by probation services and is for defendants with mental health conditions. It also allows those who are eligible to avoid a conviction and have their charges dropped.

As part of that application, Smolak will have to undergo a psychiatric evaluation. The judge will then decide whether to grant the program at her next court appearance on April 9. Animal advocates will oppose that request just as they had planned to do with AR.

“Absolutely because, you know, she's already proven that she's likely to re-offend,” stated Zilla Cannamela, President of Desmond’s Army Animal Law Advocates.

“She has tortured these animals—left them in such poor conditions and over years,” Plank added. “Why would she take the program seriously? She's not taking anything so far seriously.”

Smolak moved to Winsted a year ago but previously lived in Norwalk. Along with animal cruelty cases there, she's charged with larceny and criminal damage to property related to the home she rented. Smolak is accused of causing $100,000 worth of damage due to her lack of care for the dogs there. Police said she left it covered in dog urine and feces. The landlord told News 12 that it was so bad that crews had to wear respirators and hazmat suits for the first six weeks of restoration work, which included ripping out the Maplewood flooring.

After her appearance in Torrington, Smolak was in Stamford court for her Norwalk cases. There, she also withdrew her application for AR and applied for SDP. She’s back in Stamford Superior Court on April 10.

Police began looking into Smolak after being contacted in February 2025 by AMA Animal Rescue out of Brooklyn regarding a missing foster dog named Marshmallow. The nonprofit said it had entrusted Marshmallow to Smolak in December 2024, but the animal had since disappeared, with Smolak refusing to disclose his whereabouts. An $8,000 reward has been offered for information on the dog’s return.