top of page

ALL POSTS

- Florida, USA -


The DeLand Police Department announced the arrest of 55-years-old KEVIN PROULX (pictured) on felony animal cruelty charges.


On June 16, 2023, police responded to PROULX’s home on 406 Pursley Drive for a well-being check after a report of dogs barking.

Upon arrival, responding officer Watts saw two dogs in the front yard of the residence. According to a criminal complaint, the dogs were barking and appeared to be scared. Officer Watts knocked on the door in an attempt to make contact with the homeowner but no one answered. She said a dog was inside the property and was barking. As officer Watts walked to the side of the home, she found a hound mix puppy lying under the opening of an air conditioning pipe that dripped water. Sadly, the 9-month-old puppy was deceased. Officer Watts reported that the puppy “was very skinny” and his/her mouth was under the opening of the pipe as if he/she was “attempting to catch the water and then passed away.”


Officer Watts then went into the backyard of a neighbor so that she could look into PROULX’s backyard and saw three more dogs. Two of them were in the yard and the other one was inside the property.

All five dogs were very skinny and there was no food or water in the backyard.


After several attempts to knock on the door, PROULX “stumbled out of the garage with feces on his feet”, stated the complaint. Officer Watts reported that PROULX “advised he was having a heart attack and wanted to go to the hospital.”


DeLand Animal Control and Volusia County Animal Control responded to the scene to help catch the dogs.

Animal Control Officers estimated that weeks or even months’ worth of feces was in the residence.


In the criminal complaint the dogs were identified as:

A brown and white female German Shorthair Pointer approximately 2-3 years old named Kiara.

A male gray Weimaraner approximately 3-4 years old named Ghost.

Three hound mix puppies, approximately 9 months old, two males and a female.

All five dogs were transported to the DeLand Police Department’s kennel while the deceased puppy was taken to the DeLand Animal Hospital.


Officer Watts did a walk-through the residence to make sure there were no other dogs and found trash all over the place, “empty bottles of liquor”, and feces and urine indicating that the dogs were not being let out to go potty. There was no food or water inside the home and the residence was “trashed from the dogs tearing everything apart from being stuck inside.”


Officer Watts then went to the hospital to talk to PROULX about his dogs and he “advised he would willingly surrender all of his dogs to the DeLand Police Department.”


If the scum had done this sooner, the pup who was found deceased could have been saved!!!!


At that point Officer Watts read PROULX his Miranda rights.


On June 20, 2023, DeLand Animal Control Officer Fiore took Kiara, Ghost, and the three puppies to the DeLand Animal Hospital for checkups.


Results showed that Ghost’s body condition score was 3 out of 9 with prominent ribs, spine, and hip bones, and moderate muscle loss. Ghost weighed only 59 pounds.


Kiara’s body condition score was “3/9 but borderline 2/9”. Kiara had calculus and enlarged nipples consistent with a prior pregnancy. Kiara weighed only 37pounds.


The three live puppies were all underweight. Their hip and spine bones were showing, as were their ribs. Vets also reported almost complete lack of body fat.


As for the deceased puppy, the criminal complaint stated that he/she “was presented dead on arrival. Necropsy was not an option due to elapsed time from death.”


The medical report determined that the dogs were in the condition they were in due to lack of proper nutrition and water. “The condition was chronic in nature. The dogs’ necessary care, both feeding and otherwise, was neglected.”


PROULX was arrested on Thursday, July 6, 2023, and booked into the Volusia County Correction Center on six counts of felony animal cruelty.

Online records show this filthy drunk was released the same day after posting bond.


His arraignment scheduled for July 7, 2023, was cancelled and PROULX is slated to be in court on July 27, 2023, at 1:30 p.m.


Police said Kiara, Ghost, and the three puppies were taken in by the Florida Pointer Rescue.


PROULX said the puppies did not have names, so I took the liberty of naming the deceased furbaby Tulip for the tribute image.


Voice For Us Disclaimer: This story is sourced from official news outlets. Links included.

Details may be removed or additional information may be provided in future should such sources report an update.



PROULX’s mugshot shared from the DeLand Police Department.


Additional Source:








 
 
 

- Florida, USA -



~ Update: June 30, 2023


I have heard back from Charlot​te County Animal Control Division Manager Brian Jones and I now have a few details to add to the original story.


Mr. Jones tells me that the investigation into All Creatures Safe Heaven, located at 48619 Bermont Road in Punta Gorda, “started when an anonymous complaint was filed on April 19th, 2022 in which it was stated that there were several animals on this property that appeared sick and/or underweight. The allegations also included reports of physical abuse which reportedly resulted in the death of several animals. The animals were seized after Charlotte Co. Animal Control officers issued a search and seizure warrant on the property. We originally filed for 28 counts of animal cruelty with the State Attorney’s Office but several were denied for insufficient evidence. The animals were suffering from several medical conditions such as anemia, dehydration, starvation, weight-loss, and untreated cancerous masses and other conditions. Several animal bones were recovered from a fire pit on the property and we have evidence to suggest the animals died from neglect and/or physical abuse. Some of the animals had to be euthanized due to their poor condition but several were nursed back to health and adopted into new homes.”


Mr. Jones also shared some pictures and explained that “The black dog in the attached photos was named “Buddy.” He had lost approx. 38% of his body mass and was found exactly as you see him in the photo. He was nursed back to health and was re-homed but unfortunately passed away a few months later due to medical complications from his neglect.”



~ Original story:


On Wednesday, June 28, 2023, the former operator of All Creatures Safe Heaven, 43-years-old NICOLE ELLEN O’BRIEN (pictured), was arrested on a combination of animal cruelty and abandonment charges.


O’BRIEN is facing twelve (12) third-degree felony counts of animal cruelty resulting in serious injury or death and eight (8) first-degree misdemeanor counts of confinement/abandonment of animals.


An investigation into O’BRIEN started in April 2022.

NBC2 reports that Taylor Yescavage, who has been in a relationship with O’BRIEN, is the one who tipped off the Charlotte County Sheriff's Office after collecting evidence for years.

Although the animals were part of a “rescue” O’BRIEN created, All Creatures Safe Heaven, investigators told NBC2 there was nothing kind there.


When on April 28, 2022, officials showed up with a search warrant for OBRIEN’s residence and trailer, they found animals surrounded by trash and debris. The poor souls were “abnormally thin, weak and had skin issues”, reports NBC2.


Charlot​te County Animal Control Division Manager Brian Jones told NBC2 that the trailer was covered in trash. Inside the trailer was a dog sitting on top of a bench who appeared to be unresponsive. The furbaby was so weak that an officer had to carry him/her out.

The trailer’s front porch was falling apart. Some dog food was scattered along the floor that had missing or broken boards.

Underneath the trailer officials found live dogs and a live pig.


Inside the residence officials found two dogs who were taken to the Punta Gorda Animal Hospital. Additionally, officers found six dogs and two cats in need of medical care and they were all removed from the home.


Investigators then searched a burn pit and found numerous possible animal bones.


According to public court documents, on or about April 28, 2022, O’BRIEN “did unlawfully and intentionally commit an act to an animal”, “which resulted in the cruel death

of said animal, or excessive or repeated infliction of unnecessary pain or suffering to said animal, or did cause the same to be done, contrary to Florida Statute section 828.12(2).”


The furvictims listed are:


1) A female Labrador mix named Marley.

2) A male Labrador Pitbull mix named Buddy.

3) A female tri-colored Chihuahua named Bella.

4) A male white Labrador named Bear.

5) A “Female Mix Canine” named Lucy.

6) A “Female Mix Canine” named Lassie.

7) A female Terrier/Yorkie mix named Buttons.

8) A female Tamaskan named Mika.

9) A female Boston Terrier named Mia.

10) A “Female DSH Dilute Calico Feline

11) A female “Fawn Brindle Pitbull” named Dixie.

12) A “Male DSH Brown Tiger Feline” named Ana.


The same court document goes on to say that on or about April 28, 2022, O’BRIEN “did unlawfully abandon any animal,” “to suffer injury or malnutrition, or abandon any animal in a street or road, or public place without providing care, sustenance, protection, and shelter of such animal while owning, possessing, or having charge or custody of such animal,

contrary to Florida Statute 828.13(3).”


For the above offenses, the furvictims are:


1) A male Labrador Pitbull mix named Buddy.

2) A “Female DSH Calico Feline”.

3) A female Chihuahua named Bella.

4) A female Boston Terrier named Mia.

5) A female Terrier/Yorkie mix named Buttons.

6) A male white Labrador named Bear.


Additionally, on or about May 13, 2022, O’BRIEN


did unlawfully abandon” a female Pitbull named Dixie, and a female Terrier mix “to suffer injury or malnutrition, or abandon any animal in a street or road, or public place without providing care, sustenance, protection, and shelter of such animal while owning, possessing, or having charge or custody of such animal, contrary to Florida Statute 828.13(3).


O’BRIEN told NBC2 that she took good care of the animals for years and it’s only become a struggle for her lately.

Jones rightfully said that “it definitely does not justify the condition in which we found the animals.”


O’BRIEN had her first court appearance on June 29, 2023, and online arrest records show that she’s already bonded out!

According to court records, O’BRIEN is due back in court on July 31, 2023, at 9:00 a.m.


Voice For Us Disclaimer: This story is sourced from official news outlets. Links included.

Details may be removed or additional information may be provided in future should such sources report an update.


O’BRIEN’s mugshot shared from the Charlotte County Sheriff's Office.






 
 
 

- Florida, USA -


The Davie Police Department is investigating after a dog was found in a dumpster, bleeding, after being shot.


The 5-year-old female furbaby was found on Sunday, June 11, 2023, in a dumpster behind the Tires Plus shop at 7520 W State Road 84.

She was then rushed to Broward Animal Care and in a Facebook post the agency wrote: “One of our field officers found Summer (A2297447) thrown in the trash behind a Tires Plus in Davie. The dog was shot through the neck and brought to Broward County Animal Care where our vets are taking great care of her. Luckily, the bullet didn’t hit any major arteries and Summer is expected to be OK.”


According to WSVN, as Summer was being examined, veterinarians scanned her for a microchip and luckily, she had one! It turned out that Summer was registered with the animal rescue group Humans and Animals United, that in the past had found her a home.

The rescue said in a Facebook post that the furbaby, whom they renamed Lily, is back in their care.


Dr. Paula Ferreira, with the Ferreira Animal Hospital, told Local 10 News that Lily was very lucky the bullet did not strike any vital arteries. She said the bullet wound in her neck is still visible. Dr. Ferreira explained: “It’s very close to everything important, the trachea, the artery.”


Police are actively investigating to track down the monster(s) responsible for this egregious crime.

If you have any information, please, do the right thing and come forward. Thank you!


Voice For Us Disclaimer: This story is sourced from official news outlets. Links included.

Details may be removed or additional information may be provided in future should such sources report an update.






 
 
 

Subscribe Form

© 2025 Voice For Us
bottom of page