Polk County sheriff's deputies found eight dead animals at a pet store that had its electricity turned off for five days because the owner failed to pay the electric bill.
Diana Cabrera, 27, owner of Noah's Ark Exotic Pets, said she was out of town but had asked someone to take care of the pets at the store while she was away, the sheriff's office said.
The sheriff's office received a call Monday regarding dead animals at the store, 3632 U.S. 92 E.
When the sheriff's animal control unit arrived, the owner of the strip mall let investigators enter the store.
The temperature inside was above 100 degrees and deputies found eight dead animals, including a lizard, duck, rabbit, two exotic birds and three chickens.
Investigators found more than 50 animals alive, but they had no water in their cages, deputies said.
Animal control seized the animals, and staff veterinarians examined them, deputies said.
Lakeland Electric turned off the electricity to the pet store because of unpaid bills, the sheriff's office said. The electric company said it sent a letter on Aug. 23 to Cabrera, the store's owner. The letter was sent to her home and said the power to the store was going to be turned off Aug. 25.
Cabrera, of Lakeland, told investigators she was out of town Aug. 20-27.
On Tuesday, Cabrera, surrendered all the animals to the sheriff's office.
Detectives were continuing interviews and trying to learn who was left in the role of caretaker, the sheriff's office said.
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