14 Emaciated Dogs Found; Woman Arrested

A woman arrested on animal cruelty charges in February and ordered by a judge to not have animals was arrested again today after deputies found 14 emaciated dogs in her home, authorities said.

Cynthia Annette Cuervo, 43, of 8202 W. Crenshaw St., Tampa, was charged today with five counts of felony animal cruelty and 13 counts of misdemeanor improper confinement of animals, Hillsborough County Animal Services spokeswoman Marti Ryan said.

The dogs seized from Cuervo's home were "hungry, thirsty, grimy and very, very smelly," Ryan said. Twelve were small-breed dogs such as poodles and long-haired terriers. A Great Dane and German shepherd were also seized.

Animal services workers are giving the animals basic medical care and "most seem to be in a good disposition," she said.

Cuervo's arrest today marks her third run-in with animal services investigators, authorities said.

Cuervo was first arrested in May 2007, after investigators found five hungry dogs in a shed on her property, Ryan said. Cuervo surrendered custody of the animals and charges were dropped, Ryan said.

On Feb. 1, 16 dogs and three cats were seized from Cuervo's home. The remains of a dog were also found, Ryan said. Circuit Judge Walter Heinrich barred Cuervo from owning any more animals. Cuervo pleaded not guilty on Feb. 18 to the animal cruelty charges, court records show.

"She has violated a direct order of a judge," Ryan said.

The civil case from Cuervo's second arrest is still pending.

Today, a Hillsborough County sheriff's deputy familiar with Cuervo's case was on routine patrol in the neighborhood when she heard dogs barking inside Cuervo's home, Ryan said.

Cuervo told investigators today that the animals belong to one of her children, Ryan said.

Cuervo was being held on $16,500 bail tonight at Orient Road Jail.

Ryan said she hopes the dogs seized today can be rehabilitated in time for a pet adoption expo at the Florida State Fairgrounds on Nov. 15.