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Hillsborough Deputies Find Vacant House Full Of Animals

News Channel 8 photo by MICHAEL EGGER

Hillsborough County Animal Services are removing dozens of dogs and cats from a Town 'N Country house.

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By KRISTA KLAUS of News Channel 8

Published: February 1, 2008

TOWN 'N COUNTRY – A cage containing the skeletal remains of an animal is among the evidence being removed from a house today.

A neighbor reported a possible burglary in progress to the sheriff's office this morning after seeing a light flicker at 8202 W. Crenshaw St., authorities said.

Instead of a burglar, deputies found up to 30 dogs and cats living in "deplorable" conditions, said Sgt. Pam Perry of Hillsborough County Animal Services.

Three dogs jumped through a broken window when the deputies arrived, Perry said.

"At this point, we know there are animals inside the home in distress, living in their own fecal matter and urine and emaciated," Perry said. "We are processing a warrant and at this time are removing all the animals from the property."

About 10 living animals and one dead animal had been removed by 1:15 p.m. The skeleton was too decomposed to immediately identify as a cat or a dog, one officer said.

A background check revealed the house belongs to 64-year-old Evelyn Cuervo.

Cuervo's daughter, Cynthia, now faces felony animal cruelty charges, Perry said.

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