According to a police report filed at the Hinesville Police Department on Dec. 14, a local woman took a trip to Illinois, leaving behind three dogs without food, water or care.

Officer James Williams reported being dispatched to a home in Hinesville’s Stonehenge subdivision, where a neighbor complained that the dogs had chewed the bottom of her fence to enter her yard. The neighbor reported that the homeowner, Tricia Lietzke, had packed her car and left her house on Dec. 12. By the afternoon of Dec. 14, Lietzke’s neighbor said the dogs were in her yard and appeared hungry.

Williams reported that he received the homeowners’ phone numbers and spoke with the husband, Brian Lietzke, who said he and his wife were in the process of getting a divorce. He said he moved out of the house months ago and is currently stationed in Kentucky. He said his wife still occupies the house and has the dogs.

Williams said he then spoke with Tricia Lietzke by phone. She told the officer someone was supposed to be at the house to take care of the pets, but she did not provide a name to the officer. She also did not give the officer a specific return date.

Williams reported that the dogs appeared malnourished, and that there was no food or water provided. He said one of the dogs looked like a puppy and the other two appeared a bit older. He informed Mrs. Lietzke that the dogs were being placed in the care and custody of Liberty County Animal Control.

The officer also told the woman she has pending citations.