A 34-year-old woman from Kissimmee has been charged with animal cruelty after KPD officers and Osceola Sheriff’s Office Deputies discovered multiple dogs in poor condition at a property she owned, including two puppies found inside of a mesh bag, unable to get to food or water.
Kissimmee police responded to a residence on East Cypress Street in Kissimmee while assisting the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office with an eviction notice. The property in question had a dilapidated RV camper on it.
Upon arrival, law enforcement officials spoke to a man who said he was renting the RV. The man brought law enforcement around to the backyard where they found several puppies in a makeshift kennel covered by an unventilated tarp. Another dog was discovered tied up outside the kennel, emaciated and tied up by a twisted leash, which limited its movement and prevented it from lying down. No food, water, or shelter was found in the area for any of the dogs.
All the dogs on the property looked extremely emaciated, prompting deputies to contact Osceola County Animal Control for help. Law enforcement also found a dead kitten only four feet front door of the RV.
Osceola deputies contact the owner of the RV, identified as 34-year-old Olivia Jones who admitted ownership of the dogs in the makeshift kennel but claimed that the dog tied up was a stray. She told deputies she was temporarily looking after the puppies in the bag as a favor for a friend who couldn’t care for them.
Osceola Animal Services deemed the situation felony animal abuse, leading deputies to arrest Jones and transport her to the Osceola County jail, where she now faces animal cruelty charges with a $1500 bond. In Florida, it is illegal to intentionally act or fail to act which results in the death or excessive or repeated infliction of unnecessary pain or suffering on an animal
