- Florida, USA -
The Citrus County Sheriff’s Office said in a news release that on Wednesday, July 14, animal control officers responded to a residence off W Green Acres Street in Homosassa about a report of animal cruelty.
According to the release, inside the property “officials discovered twenty-one dogs, twenty-seven cats, six various species of birds, five rabbits, one turtle, and one chicken. Four of the dogs located were caged in the kitchen, laying in their own urine and feces inside a cage. Another nine dogs were discovered inside the dining room, in the same condition.
The remainder of the animals were located throughout the rest of the residence, including a dog in the master bathroom who was soaked in urine and so severely malnourished to the point it could not stand. Unfortunately, this dog was in such poor physical condition due to the neglect, it had to be euthanized.”
The news release goes on to say that the majority of the other animals had multiple open sores on their bodies, legs, and feet.
Officials also discovered livestock outside the property.
During the investigation, officers found in the property a juvenile living in the same deplorable conditions.
Deputies arrested 42-year-old CHRISTINE ANNE IVERSON and 51-year-old TABITHA KAYE IVERSON (both pictured below) and charged them with sixty-one counts of aggravated animal cruelty, thirteen counts of animal cruelty, and one count of child neglect.
Their bonds were set at $137,000.00 each.
Sheriff Mike Prendergast said: “These two individuals not only allowed 84 animals to suffer in this hazardous and unsanitary environment, but they even exposed a juvenile child to these unlivable conditions.”
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Pictures shared from the Citrus County Sheriff’s Office