GUADALUPE GARCIA JR. arrested – One dog who died from heatstroke, and a live dog removed from his Collier County home

- Florida, USA -

The Collier County Sheriff’s Office announced the arrest of 30-year-old GUADALUPE GARCIA JR. (pictured).

The arrest is the result of an investigation which began on May 10, 2025, when a concerned neighbor called the sheriff's office to report that two dogs were being neglected at a home on 1052 Hamilton Street, Immokalee. According to the affidavit, the neighbor stated that one of the two dogs was deceased, and she was worried about the welfare of the other dog. The neighbor further stated that she had provided food and water to the live dog.

The complaint was passed on to Collier County Domestic Animal Services/Code Enforcement- Animal Control.

The following day Animal Control along with deputies went to the given location and made contact with the reporting party who confirmed that the live dog as well as the deceased dog were still in the backyard of the residence.

Officers attempted to make contact with the residents of the home in question, but they did not receive an answer.

The owner of the neighboring property allowed officers to enter their property so they could see the dogs in the other home.

In the report, the deputy wrote that in the backyard of the home on 1052 Hamilton Street he saw a small plastic fencing made into a rectangle. The fencing had holes in the panels making it possible for the deputy to see inside of it. The enclosure had no roof, effectively depriving the dogs of shelter or shade. At the time of the officers’ inspection, at 9:22 a.m., the enclosure was “in direct sunlight,” stated the affidavit.

Officers saw one small dog who was barking and sadly, another dog was observed laying on her right side and not moving.

The sheriff's office identified as Ally the 2-year-old black and white Boston Terrier who was deceased, and Blackie the 5-pound terrier puppy, approximately 6-7 months old, who was still alive.

Although officers spotted a bowl in the enclosure, they could not tell whether it had food and water or if it was empty.

At that point, based on the witness' reports and the officers’ observations the decision was made to intervene and remove the surviving dog, Blackie.

While a search warrant was being requested, one of the residents of 1052 Hamilton Street, GARCIA, arrived home and told officers that his wife was inside and did not know why she had not answered the door.

Once the warrant was obtained and served, deputies questioned GARCIA about the dogs and he said that he took care of them and that every night he gave them food and water.

According to the affidavit, GARCIA told deputies that he kept Ally and Blackie out in the pen during the day but hadn’t brought them in last night because their cage was dirty and he hadn't had time to clean it.

A deputy then asked GARCIA when he checked on the dogs last and GARCIA answered that he last checked on them on the early morning of Saturday, May 10, 2025.

The deputy rightfully pointed out that Ally had been deceased since Saturday. At that point, GARCIA changed his answer and stated that he went outside to make sure the dogs had food and water, but he did not check on them.

GARCIA agreed to surrender both Ally and Blackie.

A necropsy performed on Ally determined she “likely died from heatstroke,” said the sheriff’s office. Its press release further stated: “Histopathology did not reveal any toxins or diseases that contributed to the death of the animal.”

The veterinarian who examined both furvictims reported that “Blackie would have suffered an unnecessarily painful death as a result of the heatstroke.”

The investigation determined that probable cause had been established for GARCIA’s arrest.

He was taken into custody on September 2, 2025, and transported to the Immokalee Jail Center for booking and processing. He was released the same day after posting bond.

GARCIA is facing one felony count of aggravated animal cruelty and two misdemeanor counts of confinement of an animal without sufficient food or water.

Court records show that GARCIA is expected to appear in court for his arraignment on September 29, 2025, at 8:30 a.m.

Collier County Sheriff Kevin J. Rambosk said in a written statement: “Animal cruelty has no place in Collier County. We will continue to hold offenders accountable and make sure no animal suffers needlessly in our community.”

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Voice For Us Disclaimer: This story is sourced from the press release by the Collier County Sheriff’s Office as well as details from the affidavit. Please note that details may be removed or new information added should updates become available.

In the case of charges being dropped, dismissed, or the case being purged, this article will be rectified accordingly, if official documentation is provided to Voice For Us.

GARCIA’s mugshot share from the Collier County Sheriff’s Office

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