SPCA of Tampa Bay pleads guilty to animal cruelty charges

- Florida, USA -

FOX 13 reports that on Friday, August 29, 2025, the SPCA of Tampa Bay has pleaded guilty to animal cruelty charges.

The charges stemmed from an incident that dates back to July 2025, involving a male pig named Waddles.

As reported by FOX 13, Waddles was in the care of SPCA of Tampa Bay when a video that went viral on Tik Tok showed him “with burned and blistered skin.”

“Advocates accused the SPCA of leaving Waddles out in the scorching hot sun, which caused his skin to burn, crack and bleed,” reported FOX 13.

At the time, following the allegations, Pinellas County Animal Services cited the SPCA of Tampa Bay for animal cruelty.

According to FOX 13, Martha Boden, the SPCA president, told the news agency that when Waddles arrived at their facility, he was already suffering from “preexisting skin issues.”

Spectrum News reports that Waddles was surrendered by his guardians on July 10, 2025.

Boden went on to tell FOX 13 that they provided proper housing, food, enrichment and veterinary care and showed the reporter “the pasture and barn they had for Waddles and the mudholes they had created for him.”

Reportedly, BODEN told FOX 13: “We feel really good about the way we were able to help him stabilize.”

From Boden’s standpoint the information released by the public has created a false narrative of Waddles’ care, making the allegations false and said the SPCA of Tampa Bay intended to fight the citations. However, court records show that the SPCA of Tampa Bay entered a guilty plea.

The nonprofit Pork Butt Pastures Rescue, run by Kelly Dill, took Waddles from the SPCA and happily announced that he's now made a full recovery.

Kelly told FOX 13 she saw Waddles listed on the SPCA’s website and when she went to visit him she was shocked by his condition. Kelly explained: “When I got there to see him, I was absolutely horrified at the condition he was in. He was raw and bloody, with no water — just out in the hot sun, roasting. If I hadn’t taken him, it would’ve been death for sure — within 24 to 48 hours, he would no longer be here.”

According to FOX 13, a police report about animal cruelty has also been filed with the Largo Police Department.

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Voice For Us Disclaimer: This story is sourced from FOX 13. Please note that details may be removed or new information added should updates become available.

Pictures shared from Pork Butt Pastures Rescue and Spectrum News

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