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Lakeland Couple Charged After Dogs Found Covered In Urine, Feces, Deputies Say

Polk County Sheriff's Office

Nineteen Great Danes were removed from this mobile home.

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By CHRIS ECHEGARAY

Published: December 19, 2007

LAKELAND - Nineteen Great Danes were removed from deplorable living conditions on Tuesday and a couple was charged with animal cruelty, the Polk County Sheriff Office said.

Of the 19, 10 great danes were locked inside a mobile home, at 10914 Country View Drive, covered with urine and feces, officials said.

Patricia Ann Rust, 62, of 10914 Country View Drive, was charged with 11 counts of animal cruelty. Her husband, Mason William Rust, 70, of 2017 Sylvester Road, was charged with 10 counts of animal cruelty.

Animal control was contacted last month by someone from the Great Dane Rescue of Tampa Bay. They said they had a dog that was in poor medical condition, severely malnourished and had difficulty walking.

A deputy found the Rusts at the Country View Drive residence on Tuesday. After Patricia Rust was charged with one count of animal cruelty, the deputy found the great danes in the mobile home.

Two other Great Danes thought to belong to Patricia Rust were found at the Sylvester Road residence. Those dogs were also seized.

A total of 19 dogs were taken to animal control. They all were flea infested, and are being evaluated and treated by veterinary staff at animal control.

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