LORI ANN GONZALEZ arrested after thirty-one starving and emaciated cows found on a Lake County property

- Florida, USA -

⚠️WARNING⚠️The article contains pictures some of you may find upsetting⚠️

The Lake County Sheriff’s Office arrested 62-year-old LORI ANN GONZALEZ (pictured).

It all started on April 13, 2026, when an animal cruelty investigator with the sheriff’s office responded to GONZALEZ’s property on 28304 Atlantis Road in Tavares to check on the welfare of her cattle.

According to an affidavit of probable cause provided to Voice For Us by the sheriff’s office, from the road, the investigator saw numerous Zebu-type cattle within a fenced-in pasture who looked severely emaciated with ribs, spines, and pelvic bones showing.

The investigator reported that the pasture was mainly composed of bare sand with little to no grass available, just remnants with hay that had been trampled into the ground. Moreover, according to the investigator, the cows were not seen chewing cud.

Chewing cud is a process that takes place when cattle are resting and the purpose is to reduce food particle size, allowing rumen microorganisms to break down fibrous feed like grass and hay, which cattle couldn't digest otherwise.

Authorities obtained a search warrant for the property, and the cattle were removed from the property and taken to the shelter for evaluation and care.

Twenty of the thirty-one cows who were removed from the property had a body condition score that indicated severe emaciation, with no measurable fat reserves. The veterinarian who examined them concluded their extremely poor condition was the result of “prolonged inadequate nutritional management” and that the animals had experienced “undue suffering.”

Sgt. Vachon with the Lake County Sheriff’s Office tells me, “To my knowledge none of the cows were euthanized, they were all adopted by responsible livestock owners.” 

GONZALEZ was arrested on May 6, 2026, and charged with thirty-one counts of animal cruelty. She was released from the Lake County Jail the following day after posting a $77,000 bond.

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Voice For Us Disclaimer: This story is sourced from the probable cause affidavit provided to Voice For Us by the Lake County Sheriff’s Office. 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.

GONZALEZ’s mugshot and photos provided to Voice For Us by the Lake County Sheriff's Office.

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