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Woman Jailed After Emaciated Dogs Found At Home

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By VALERIE KALFRIN

The Tampa Tribune

Published: August 30, 2008

  Charlotte Mathews-Nelson

TAMPA - A Dover woman was being held at Orient Road Jail on Friday after animal investigators and deputies found 10 emaciated dogs at her house.

Charlotte Mathews-Nelson, 43, is charged with eight felony counts of animal cruelty and eight misdemeanor counts of depriving animals of food and water. Bail was set at $20,000, records show.

The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office said deputies arrested Mathews-Nelson about 11:25 a.m. Thursday after finding dogs of "skeletal-like appearances."

Some of the dogs had sores and some were sheltered in rusty vehicles, including a school bus, said Hillsborough County Animal Services spokeswoman Marti Ryan.

Mathews-Nelson told deputies she had no money for dog food or veterinary care.

"These folks did not have the means to care for this many animals," Ryan said.

There were several terriers, including a mom nicknamed Precious who is nursing three pups; a pit bull; and a Labrador mix puppy that rescuers called Bus Stop, Ryan said.

"He just looked like a happy little boy," Ryan said of Bus Stop. There was discussion about whether the tiny pup would survive. He was bloated in spots and emaciated in others, she said, but he appears to be doing better.

"He was eating and drinking and wagging his tail and enjoying being wrapped in a towel," Ryan said.

An anonymous call on Aug. 22 first tipped animal investigators to problems at the house, Ryan said. An investigator visited the property after that call and gave Mathews-Nelson information on proper animal care, made sure she was in compliance and warned her of a return visit, Ryan said.

Thursday, a probation officer visiting the property to follow up on a littering violation contacted authorities again about the dogs, Ryan said.

Reporter Valerie Kalfrin can be reached at (813) 259-7800 or vkalfrin@tampatrib.com.

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