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Dogs' Owner Protests His Arrest

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By JOSH POLTILOVE, The Tampa Tribune

Published: August 8, 2007

TAMPA - Tim E. Sexton said the golden retrievers living inside his Tampa home were coated in fecal matter and walking on urine-soaked floors.

He said he shouldn't have been arrested because of it.

'When a puppy eats, it poops,' he said outside his home Tuesday. 'It eats and poops, eats and poops.'

Hillsborough County Animal Services arrested Sexton on July 30, charging him with 17 misdemeanor counts of improper confinement of animals. Investigators said the 17 golden retrievers found in Sexton's home were in 'deplorable' living conditions.

Three of the dogs were adopted through Animal Services, one was sent to a local golden retriever rescue group and 11 more were sent to the Humane Society of Tampa Bay, Animal Services spokeswoman Marti Ryan said.

Sexton has refused to surrender a male and female. The male, he said, isn't his to give away. They remain in Animal Services' care, unavailable for viewing.

Investigators said Sexton had been breeding golden retrievers and trying to sell them. They say he took out an advertisement in The Tampa Tribune to sell dogs.

Sexton, 65, denied that he intentionally bred the dogs and blames a roommate for not helping clean up after them. He said he provided good care for the dogs and spent $150 to $200 a week feeding them until they could be sold.

After being arrested, Sexton said, he plans to sell his house at 1307 Eckles Drive and move from the area.

Reporter Josh Poltilove can be reached at (813) 259-7691 or jpoltilove@tampatrib.com.

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