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Largo Woman Arrested On Animal Cruelty Charges

Photo Courtesy of SPCA TAMPA BAY

The confiscated dogs will remain at the SPCA shelter in Largo while veterinarians evaluate them.

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By RAY REYES | The Tampa Tribune

Published: February 19, 2008

Updated: 02/19/2008 08:10 pm

TAMPA - A Largo woman was charged with multiple counts of animal cruelty after deputies found 17 dogs living in their own waste in her deteriorating home, the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office said.

Gloria D. Nettles, 56, of 11627 131st St. N., Largo, was taken to a facility for a mental evaluation after deputies found the dogs about 1 p.m. today, Pinellas sheriff's spokeswoman Marianne Pasha said.

Deputies were serving civil papers regarding the payment of Nettles' bills when they noticed a foul odor emanating from her home, Pasha said. Concerned about Nettles' welfare, they entered the house and found 10 pugs, 6 peekapoos and one Labrador retriever mix, the sheriff's office said.

Feces was scattered through the cluttered house, deputies said.

Nettles was not home and was contacted at work about the dogs, Pasha said. Nettles, who was charged with 17 counts of misdemeanor animal cruelty, may face jail time after her mental evaluation, Pasha said.

The dogs, infested with fleas and their fur matted with feces, were taken to the Pinellas County chapter of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals in Largo, officials said.

The animals' health ranged from poor to good when veterinarians evaluated them as they were brought into the shelter about 5:30 p.m. today, said SPCA spokeswoman Marissa Weeks.

"They do not look malnourished," Weeks said, who added that Nettles' home was in a deplorable state.

"It was no condition for any animal or human to live in," she said.

A thorough examination of the dogs will be completed Wednesday, Weeks said.

Reporter Ray Reyes can be reached at (813) 259-7920 or rreyes@tampatrib.com.

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