In Gaylesville, Alabama, the owner of more than a dozen animals faces 17 counts of animal cruelty after leaving animals in cages to die in rising flood waters. Heavy rains for days had caused serious flooding.

According to Alabama.com, Dana Marie Head, 59, left rabbits, ducks, birds and cats in cages near the Chattooga River. Two animals had already died by the time the sheriff’s office and rescuers arrived. Head was not home when authorities arrived. Deputies had to cut the locks on the cages to rescue the animals.

On Saturday, the Chattooga River reached 19.04 feet – the highest stage of the river in recent years.

Head was arrested when she returned home and booked into the Cherokee County Detention Center on $8,500 bond.

(Photo of woman charged with leaving pets in rising flood waters via sheriff’s office)