A Fort Pierce woman, Michele Dovel, was sentenced to two years in prison and three years probation for abandoning her dogs in an extremely hot house for weeks, WPTV reports.
Authorities stated Dovel’s neighbors called 911 in July 2022, claiming they thought Dovel had moved out, but decided to contact law enforcement after hearing one of the dogs bark.
Police found two dogs, Dixie and Coco, peering out of the back slider of what looked like an abandoned home. An officer described the two as “skin and bones.” The house was full of feces and filth and a scorching 98 degrees. A week later, a cleaning crew found the third dog’s body in a “severely” decomposed state
Woman abandoned dogs to escape domestic abuse
Dovel told the court that she abandoned the house to escape a domestic abuse situation. Authorities subsequently arrested her former boyfriend and charged him with domestic abuse.
Assistant State Attorney Robert Stone said he took Dovel’s domestic abuse situation into consideration and offered her a plea deal. However, Stone mentioned that there was no excuse for abandoning the dogs in such squalid conditions. “Coco and Dixie were left in an abusive relationship as well,” he said, adding that “there were so many opportunities” to help the dogs.
Stone continued, “It takes a second to pick up the phone and call animal control, call her brother who said he would have taken the dogs. Other people in the neighborhood said they would help her. Call police, anyone.” Coco and Dixie are now living much happier and healthier lives with their new parents.
