TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Owner Of Seized Animals In Lithia Not Giving Them Up

ADVERTISEMENT

By KATIE CORONADO | News Channel 8
and LAURA FRAZIER | The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 11, 2008

The owner of animals seized from a Lithia property Wednesday doesn't appear willing to surrender ownership, Hillsborough County Animal Services spokeswoman Marti Ryan said today.

Until the animals are signed over to animal services, they cannot be available for adoption, she said.

Four dead dogs were found by animal services when authorities went to remove more than 80 animals from the property Wednesday after an anonymous tipster said the creatures were living in deplorable conditions.

More than 80 dogs, cats and exotic birds were found in what authorities described as a "dungeon" at 1306 Pelote Cemetery Road in Lithia, Ryan said. One of the four dead dogs discovered was possibly pregnant, Ryan said.

The animal breeders lived in the main house, while most of the animals were left in another house, Ryan said.

The owner was cited in 2004 for failing to have a breeder permit from the county, but he later came into compliance and there were no further issues known to animal services, she said. Some neighbors told the media Wednesday that they complained about the owner for years, but animal services doesn't have prior complaints in its records and the sheriff's office said it has had no calls for service to that address in the last five years.

Authorities said many of the animals had feces hanging from their matted-fur faces.

Volunteers are coming in to help wash the dogs and make them more comfortable, Ryan said.

Ryan said her office got an anonymous tip about the site, which she says houses an animal breeding business.

Neighbor Tamara Dunn was shocked when animal services arrived to take the animals.

"We thought he was reputable breeder and he was breeding for shows," Dunn said.

The creatures have been taken to animal services, where veterinarians will do preliminary animal exams, Ryan said. Some of the dogs had tumors, dehydration, dental disease and other infections.

Authorities are still investigating the scene, and no charges have been filed at this time.

Fish and Wildlife officials found 20 exotic birds, including cockatoos and cockatiels, and cited the owner for having dirty cages. There was no evidence of the owner selling, bartering or trading the birds, officials say. The birds remain at the home.

Reporter Josh Poltilove contributed to this report.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT