The Volusia County Sheriff's Office announced the arrest of 58-year-old KRISTI LYNN KILBY (pictured).
According to a press release issued by the sheriff's office, the arrest followed a report from a concerned resident about two neglected dogs at a residence at 1570 Monica Street in Deltona.
An affidavit states that in the early morning hours of Sunday, October 25, 2026, deputies responded to the address after a resident, who wished to remain anonymous, reported that two dogs were living there “in filth, alone, and without proper sustenance.”
According to the affidavit, the caller described the interior of the residence as “covered in urine and feces and being uninhabitable.”
When deputies arrived, the residence appeared to be abandoned. They also noticed a disabled vehicle in the driveway that was not properly registered.
The yard surrounding the residence was overgrown, and the windows were covered with old, hurricane-like shutters, deputies reported.
After knocking on the door and receiving no response, deputies heard dogs barking inside the residence. They were able to access the rear porch through an unlocked screened door.
According to the affidavit, the porch contained multiple cages and habitats that appeared to be intended for birds or small mammals.
Through the rear sliding glass door, deputies saw two female English Bulldogs inside the residence.
Both dogs “appeared dirty, underweight, with extremely long toenails,” deputies reported. The floors were also covered in feces and urine.
Deltona Animal Control was then called to the scene.
Meanwhile, deputies spoke with neighboring residents. One neighbor stated that the property had been visited approximately one week earlier, although they were unsure by whom, according to the affidavit. Another neighbor provided deputies with KILBY’s phone number, explaining that she was responsible for the residence and came and went to care for the dogs.
Deputies were initially unsuccessful in their attempts to contact KILBY by phone. However, they subsequently located an address associated with her through the Volusia County Property Appraiser's website.
After deputies made contact with KILBY at that address, she agreed to meet them at the Monica Street residence.
According to the affidavit, KILBY allowed deputies and Animal Control Officers to enter the residence to inspect the condition of the home and the dogs.
The affidavit further states that KILBY explained she lived elsewhere but visited the dogs daily to care for them.
When KILBY opened the garage door, officers were immediately confronted by an overwhelming odor. According to the affidavit, urine and feces covered all the hard flooring, and officers repeatedly had to step outside to get fresh air.
Amid the waste, officers noticed two empty bowls. KILBY quickly picked them up and poured bottled water into them.
According to the affidavit, KILBY acknowledged that the residence had no running water and that the only water available to the dogs was the bottled water she brought from her own home.
KILBY also told Animal Control Officers that the dogs had not received medical care in more than a year.
When Animal Control Officers questioned her about the deplorable conditions inside the residence, KILBY reportedly attributed the situation to the lack of running water, adding that she refused to clean the home using bottled water.
Animal Control Officers also asked KILBY why she had not rehomed the dogs. According to the affidavit, she said she had tried to find them another home but provided inconsistent statements.
Animal Control Officers reported that both dogs had loose, excess skin consistent with malnourishment, severely overgrown nails, and staining around their eyes.
Based on the overall circumstances, the findings documented in the report, and neighbors' statements that corroborated authorities' observations at the scene, deputies determined that probable cause existed to charge KILBY with two misdemeanor counts of animal cruelty.
KILBY surrendered both dogs to Deltona Animal Control.
Online arrest records show that KILBY was arrested on October 25, 2026, and booked into the Volusia County Jail. She was released a few hours later after posting $1,000 bond.
Court records show that KILBY is scheduled to be arraigned at Volusia County Circuit Court on December 3, 2026, at 9:00 a.m.
Voice For Us Disclaimer: This story is based on the affidavit obtained by Voice For Us.
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.
Mugshot shared from the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office.
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