PALM COAST, Fla. (WFLA) — A woman was arrested on animal cruelty charges on May 18 after she abandoned 23 dogs, leading deputies to remove 51 additional dogs from her home in Palm Coast, according to authorities.
The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office said 23 small dogs were abandoned near the intersection of US-1 and County Road 204 in St. Augustine on May 4.
FCSO and the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office began an investigation and received information regarding additional dogs at a home in Palm Coast.
Photos courtesy of the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office
Deputies and animal control went to the house on Rymshaw Drive, where Carolyn Loveman, 48, surrendered 48 small dogs. FCSO said the dogs were primarily chihuahua, beagle and yorkie mixes, and 16 of the animals were puppies from a recent litter.
Many of the dogs had patches of missing fur consistent with mange, fleas, overgrown nails and feces and urine matted in their paws, FCSO said. Animal control transported the dogs to a veterinary hospital.
Deputies searched Loveman’s home, finding floors covered in urine and feces, holes in the walls, chewed baseboards and a roach infestation, according to FCSO.
The sheriff’s office said its deputies located three additional dogs in a shed, including a chihuahua puppy, which deputies said was emaciated, missing fur, retained its puppy teeth and had a “serious untreated medical condition requiring surgery.”
Loveman acknowledged she knew about the dog’s condition bur did not seek veterinary care, FCSO said.
She then surrendered the three dogs and withdrew her consent to search the home, but deputies later obtained a search warrant, saying they found more signs of neglect.
A total of 74 dogs were recovered across the investigation, FCSO said.
Photo courtesy of the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office
A veterinarian reported that most dogs were underweight, and many of them showed signs of flea infestation, parasites and prolonged neglect.
“The conditions in this home were absolutely disgusting, and sadly 51 dogs paid the price for it,” Sheriff Rick Staly said. “No animal should be left to live covered in filth and riddled with disease while their owner does nothing.”
Loveman was arrested on one count of felony aggravated animal cruelty and 31 counts of misdemeanor cruelty to animals. FCSO said her bond was set at $41,000.
SJSO’s investigation is active and ongoing.
FCSO said the rescued dogs can be adopted through the Saving Missing Animals Response Team.
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