VAN BUREN COUNTY  (WKZO) --  A Paw Paw woman wanted for mistreating a couple of pit bulls has been formally charged with animal cruelty and two counts of not licensing her dogs.  Sheriff Dale Gribler says 33-year-old Brandi Espinosa surrendered herself to Paw Paw District Court and was arraigned Thursday afternoon.

The dogs were discovered this week by deputies after a tip.  The animals were under-fed and chained behind an empty home owned by Espinosa.  Their chains had become tangled and they could barely move.

Espinosa entered not guilty pleas and was freed on her own recognizance.  The dogs will remain in the Van Buren County Animal Control Facility a court date on October 26th.