INDIAN RIVER COUNTY – Dogs described as sickly and emaciated with signs of old and new wounds were removed from a home without electricity or running water, leading to the arrest of the owner on animal cruelty charges.
The four dogs were taken to the Humane Society of Vero Beach and Indian River County for “continuous care and protective custody” and the owner, Richard Lee Campbell III, 39, of the 400 block of 12th Ave, was arrested on a warrant for four counts of animal cruelty on July 9.
Records show deputies were called June 25 about several dogs fighting in an intersection of 12th Avenue and Fourth Street, a busy east-to-west corridor west of Old Dixie Highway.
When they arrived, they found the dogs emerging from a canal, still fighting, and noted they were “extremely skinny” and had “multiple wounds.”
After determining the nearby address of the dog owner, deputies found the property in disarray with an overgrown yard and a front window with a damaged screen, which is how it was thought the dogs escaped.
They were described as brindle pit bull-type dogs while another hound mix was found still inside the home, but was nearly unable to walk. All were taken to a veterinarian, who found they were dozens of pounds underweight.
Animal waste was seen inside the home and deputies found the address had no access to utilities including power or water.
The dogs are now at the Vero Beach shelter where they are undergoing medical care and rehabilitation to recover from effects of malnourishment, which in some cases led to significant muscle loss and skeletal protrusion, said manager Eli Favela.
The three pit or Staffordshire Terrier mixes and hound mix are all thought to be 1 or 2 years old and are receiving nutritional therapy through increased feedings.
At the shelter, they have been given the names Eyore, Finch, Eugena Levy and Stiffler. Pictures of the dogs were unavailable because they are considered evidence while under the care of the shelter, Favela said.
The goal is to have the dogs adopted, however, what will ultimately happen to them is unclear.
All four he said “with people (were) very sweet” and could be leashed, but two were said to be undergoing behavioral training because they were reactive with other dogs. Like with Finch, Favela said, “he’s very sweet,” but reactive toward other dogs. He said all were frightened by other animals upon entering the shelter.
Deputies were bit by two of the dogs as they attempted to disrupt the fight, but Favela said both dogs successfully underwent and passed a quarantine period.
At the end of their medical treatment, if they reach a healthy weight and temperament, Favela said the goal was the “adoption pathway.”
If, however, for some reason that was difficult, he said they would be fostered or relocated to another shelter and only in what Favela said were “extreme cases” would they consider euthanasia.
Campbell remains in Indian River County Jail on $80,000 bail, according to Indian River County Sheriff’s Office records.
Corey Arwood is a breaking news reporter for TCPalm. Follow Corey on X @coreyarwood, or reach him by phone at 772-978-2246.
This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: ‘Severely thin’ dogs removed from IRC home; Owner charged with animal cruelty
Reporting by Corey Arwood, Treasure Coast Newspapers / Treasure Coast Newspapers
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