Police charged a Florida woman with cruelty to animals after conducting an animal well-being check on Wednesday. Authorities found a dog skeleton as well as many neglected animals living in filthy conditions in her home.
Authorities discover dog skeleton and emaciated pets at Florida woman’s home
According to FOX 35 Orlando, police arrested 36-year-old Tonya Grose of Altamonte Springs, Florida. She is now facing criminal charges due to the horrendous treatment of animals in her care.
Yesterday, Seminole County Animal Services called upon the Altamonte Springs Police Department to assist with an animal well-being check. When officers arrived at the Ballard Street residence of Grose, they were confronted with “a pungent odor of urine and feces coming from inside the residence,” according to the news outlet.
Upon entering the home, the authorities discovered multiple underweight dogs. The pups were in cages and had no food or water. Also, they were several cats in the home. Urine, excrement, and cockroaches littered the floor. Additionally, officers discovered birth in cages covered with feces and roaches.
The horror continued in the backyard, where police found more emaciated dogs in cages. Several other pups were locked in a shed without ventilation. Officers made a gruesome discovery in another shed, where they uncovered 15 large trash bags filled with animal carcasses “in various stages of decomposition” as well as a dog skeleton.
Animal shelter overrun with neglected animals
In total, police recovered over 40 animals from the residence. Seminole County Animal Services is now caring for the neglected pets.
“This influx of animals has stressed an already full shelter with dozens of animals that are yet unavailable for adoption being moved offsite in an agreement with a local boarding facility,” Seminole County Animal Services Spokesperson Andy Wontor said in a statement. “Staff is also getting creative in splitting kennel runs and pairing adoptable animals together to save space.”
The shelter is asking the public to adopt healthy pets from the facility to help create space for this unexpected influx of animals needing care.
Grose is currently being held in the Seminole County jail on $10,000 bail.
