Following the May 6 rescue of 19 chihuahuas abandoned on the side of a St. Johns County road, the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office arrested a Palm Coast woman on multiple animal cruelty charges and helped seize 51 dogs from inside her home.
While assisting St. Johns County authorities with the investigation after the dogs were dumped near U.S. 1 and County Road 204 ― at least three of which were killed by cars ― detectives received information about additional dogs at a Palm Coast home on Rymshaw Drive. On May 18 deputies went to the home, and 48-year-old Carolyn Loveman surrendered 48 small dogs and puppies, primarily chihuahua, beagle and yorkie mixes, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
Many of the dogs showed visible signs of neglect, including patches of missing fur consistent with mange, fleas, severely overgrown nails and feces and urine matted in their paws, the Sheriff’s Office said. Palm Coast Animal Control transported the dogs to a veterinary hospital for evaluation and treatment.
During a search of the home, deputies documented floors covered in urine and feces, holes in walls and baseboards where dogs had chewed through to the insulation, rotting food contaminated by insects and a heavy roach infestation. Deputies also located three additional dogs, including a 1-year-old male Chihuahua weighing approximately 1.5 pounds, in a shed. The dog was emaciated, missing a large amount of fur and had a serious untreated medical condition requiring surgery.
In total, 74 dogs were recovered across both counties, the Sheriff’s Office said. A veterinarian who examined the dogs reported that most were underweight and many showed signs of flea infestation, parasites and prolonged neglect.
“The conditions in this home were absolutely disgusting,” Sheriff Rick Staly said. “… No animal should be left to live covered in filth and riddled with disease while their owner does nothing. … If you cannot care for your animals, you should immediately seek assistance.”
Loveman is charged with on one count of felony aggravated animal cruelty and 31 counts of misdemeanor cruelty to animals. She was jailed in lieu of $41,000 bail.
For information about adopting a rescued dog, visit the S.M.A.R.T. of Flagler County website at smartflagler.com.
(This story has been updated for minor adjustments.)
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: 51 dogs seized in Flagler following abandoned chihuahuas in St. Johns
Reporting by Scott Butler, Jacksonville Florida Times-Union / Florida Times-Union
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