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CHRISTINE SNELLING, who runs a pet taxi business, arrested after dogs and pigs seized from her home

- Florida, USA -


On February 7, 2025, patrol deputies with the Polk County Sheriff’s Office responded to a home on Keen Road in Frostproof to conduct a well-being check.


According to the press release by the sheriff’s office, as deputies approached the residence, they were overwhelmed by the strong odor of ammonia and saw many dogs running loose inside the home “on a floor covered in feces.”


Deputies also saw a van parked in the driveway that displayed “Road Dawg Animal Rescue Transport.” Deputies further found contact information for 65-year-old CHRISTINE SNELLING (pictured), who turned out to be the owner of the property and the pet taxi business.

Fearing that SNELLING could be in distress, deputies entered the home but she was not there. Deputies found a deceased chicken and many dogs who were in need of medical attention.


At that point, Animal Cruelty Investigators and detectives with the sheriff’s office Agricultural Crime were called in and they took over the investigation. A search warrant was then obtained and executed at the residence. Reportedly, detectives had to wear protective gear to search the home because the smell of ammonia was overwhelming.


The sheriff’s office said that the floor was covered in inches of feces and detectives found flies, mice, and rats. That’s not all, eight dogs and three pigs were also found and removed from the home. None of the animals had access to food or water and there was no running water in the home.


All of the dogs displayed “symptoms of prolonged exposure to ammonia and unsanitary conditions, including respiratory issues, nasal discharge, and eye infections”, stated the release.


SNELLING was arrested and charged with eight misdemeanor counts of animal cruelty and eight misdemeanor counts of animal neglect.


I reached out to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office to inquire about any other possible deceased animals and I was told: “The only confirmed deceased animal found is a bird, possibly a chicken. The home is infested with rats, mice, and flies, and detectives believe it’s highly likely there are also dead rodents inside. However, at this time, only the dead bird has been confirmed.”


With regard to the eight dogs, I learned the following: “They are currently in our custody and being rehabilitated by the veterinary staff at our Animal Control Facility. We do not believe any of them face any life threatening health issues at this time, and none of the animals have been euthanized.”


Polk County Sheriff Grad Judd said: “Ms. Snelling told my investigators she didn’t intend to harm these animals – she simply got overwhelmed by their needs. Caring for animals carries with it a responsibility to provide a healthy environment. There is no excuse for allowing animals to suffer.”

The investigation is ongoing and additional charges are possible, pending medical reports.


At the time of writing, online arrest records show that SNELLING was released from the Polk County Jail on February 10, 2025.


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Voice For Us Disclaimer: This story is sourced from the press release by the Polk 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.


SNELLING’s mugshot shared from the Polk County Sheriff’s Office


Pictures in the gallery were provided to Voice For Us by the Polk County Sheriff's Office





 
 
 

LISA GALE LACHARITE arrested after over three hundred animals were rescued from a Polk County home

- Florida, USA -

 

The Polk County Sheriff’s Office arrested 48-years-old LISA GALE LACHARITE (pictured), a Tampa-area second grade teacher.

 

On December 22, 2023, Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd held a press conference and provided details regarding this heartbreaking animal cruelty case.

 

On the morning of Thursday, December 21, 2023, Deputy Mills responded to a mobile home on Fazzini Drive in Frostproof to complete a welfare check on a 75-year-old woman and investigate a possible “hoarder situation” involving cats.

Upon arrival, the deputy was met by LACHARITE in the front yard of the residence.

 

After Deputy Mills explained to LACHARITE why he was there, she told him that she was her mother’s caregiver and that her mother had health issues. LACHARITE then asked the deputy to wait outside while she went inside to get her mother.

 

While Deputy Mills was waiting, he noticed strong ammonia smells outside the residence.

 

LACHARITE came back after approximately fifteen minutes and told the deputy he could go inside.

 

As the deputy entered the enclosed front porch, he saw numerous wire cages containing approximately seventy-five chickens, peacocks, and ducks. Some of these animals appeared to be malnourished and sick.

Once inside the residence, Deputy Mills noticed an overwhelming ammonia odor and saw approximately fifty cats running around the residence, climbing on furniture, and sitting on the kitchen counters. Deputy Mills also saw dried feces on the floors and walls. According to a press release by the sheriff’s office, LACHARITE told the deputy that “she rescues cats and cares for numerous chickens and ducks.”

 

When Deputy Mills talked to LACHARITE’s mother, she said she was okay but “the deputy noticed she had glassy eyes and was not easily able to move.”

 

At that point, Deputy Mills requested assistance from more Polk County Sheriff’s Office staff. Members of Polk County Animal Control, the Animal Cruelty Investigations Unit, Agricultural Crimes, Crime Scene, and Southeast District patrol responded to the scene.

 

Polk County Fire Rescue responded with an ammonia reader and collected an air sample inside the residence. According to the release, “the samples read between 70 and 100 parts per million ammonias. PCFR personnel advised anything over 50 parts per million was hazardous to health.”

 

Deputies and staff had to wear respirator masks to investigate the conditions of the home.

 

Officials found multiple chickens, ducks, geese, and a peacock in wire kennels that were stacked two and three rows high on the front porch of the residence.

 

In the pens were containers with dirty water and all of the pens had large amounts of feces on the bottom of the wire cages.

 

Inside the home, several cats were running loose in the kitchen, living room, and utility room area. Many others were found lying on the kitchen counters, stove, and inside cabinets.

Three cats were found in kennels and two of them were nursing kittens. Approximately fifty more cats were found inside the back room of the residence and four others were found in a small bedroom that had a litter box filled with urine and feces.

 

According to the sheriff’s office, “Five cats were found to have severe eye/nasal discharge and respiratory issues, which are common signs of cats that have been exposed to high levels of ammonia for an extended period of time. The investigation determined there was a lack of clean exchange of air that has caused severe and repeated infliction of pain and suffering in at least five cats inside the residence.”

 

In the kitchen, inside the pantry, officials found a litter box filled with urine and feces.   

Feces were covering the floor throughout the home and piled up in every litter box. “It appeared the litter boxes had not been changed for an extended amount of time”, stated the release.

There were approximately ten litter boxes lined down the hallway, all of which were filled with urine and feces.

 

In the living room two dogs were found inside kennels, and inside the middle room officials found another dog and more chickens and ducks in cages and bins.

 

LACHARITE admitted to deputies she knew the conditions inside the residence were not good for her, her mother, or the animals. She stated she has been overwhelmed by the number of animals she has, and that it has become too much for her to handle. The sheriff’s office said LACHRITE agreed to surrender all the animals, except for her three dogs and her mother's three cats.

 

A total of 142 cats, 3 dogs, and 164 fowl (ducks, chickens, geese, and a peacock) were removed from the home pending a forfeiture hearing.

 

The investigation determined that LACHARITE “has neglected to provide the legal obligations to care and support her animals.” Investigators said LACHRITE “confined 304 of her animals to the residence, and smaller rooms inside the residence without an exchange of air.  The ammonia levels inside the residence can be lethal to humans and animals over a period of time.”

 

During the press conference Sheriff Judd said: “It's important to point out that Lisa is not an evil person, she is an overwhelmed cat lady. She clearly violated the law, she continued to violate the law.”

 

LACHARITE was arrested on December 22, 2023, on five felony counts of animal cruelty, 304 counts of animal neglect, and one count of elder neglect. She was booked into the Polk County Jail where she is being held without bond, records show at time of writing.

 

All the Voiceless Victims were taken to Animal Control to be examined and treated by veterinarians. As Sheriff Judd said, Polk County Animal Control will work with the general public, the SPCA, and animal rescue organizations to find forever homes for the furvictims.

 

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.

 

 

LACHARITE’s mugshot shared from the Polk County Jail.


Video - Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd - December 22, 2023










 
 
 

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