PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. (CBS12) — Newly obtained court documents and body camera footage on Thursday are revealing disturbing details in an animal cruelty investigation that led to the arrest of two Port St. Lucie residents after eight dogs were found living in what investigators described as “deplorable” conditions.
According to a probable cause affidavit from the Port St. Lucie Police Department, officers responding to an anonymous tip arrived at a home on Northwest Biltmore Street on April 17 and immediately detected a strong odor of urine and feces outside the residence. Officers also reported hearing multiple dogs barking and making high-pitched vocalizations consistent with distress.
When officers made contact with Alexandria “Allie” Fiorenza, 33, she initially stated there were only three dogs at the home. Investigators later discovered a total of eight dogs on the property, several of them in severe physical distress.
The affidavit details how multiple dogs were found emaciated and dehydrated, with visible ribs, hip bones and spines. Officers conducted hydration tests and observed signs of serious dehydration in several animals. Some dogs were assigned critically low body condition scores, indicating prolonged malnourishment.
A newly obtained affidavit reveals eight dogs were found severely malnourished, dehydrated and living in unsanitary conditions, leading to the arrest of two Port St. Lucie residents. (PSLPD)
Inside the garage, authorities said they located additional dogs confined in kennels surrounded by accumulated urine and feces. Investigators described an overpowering ammonia odor in the enclosed space, where some animals had waste matted into their fur and were unable to avoid lying in it.
Officers also observed several dogs attempting to drink condensation dripping from an air conditioning pipe, indicating a lack of access to water, according to the affidavit.
The newly released details align with earlier reporting that authorities rescued eight severely malnourished and dehydrated dogs from the home following an anonymous tip. The animals were also suffering from flea infestations and hookworms and were living in unsanitary conditions filled with urine and feces, according to police.
Body camera footage obtained in the case shows the moment officers arrived and made the arrest.
“Pop that door, pop that door,” an officer is heard saying at the start of the encounter.
Moments later, officers identified and detained one of the suspects.
“Alright, you’re Joseph? Alright, Joseph, you’re being arrested for, you have some outstanding warrants. I think one is for cruelty to animals,” an officer says.
“Put your hands behind your back, please. Thank you. We’ll tell you in just a second, okay?” the officer continues as the arrest is carried out.
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According to investigators, Fiorenza gave inconsistent statements about ownership of the dogs, initially claiming several belonged to friends. Authorities later determined that Fiorenza and her husband, Joseph Calafiore, 36, were the primary owners. The affidavit states Fiorenza later admitted the story about outside owners was fabricated to avoid violating a city ordinance limiting the number of dogs at the residence.
After being removed from the home, all eight dogs were transported to a local animal hospital, where veterinarians confirmed their conditions were consistent with ongoing neglect.
Alexandria “Allie” Fiorenza, 33, and Joseph Calafiore, 36, were arrested on eight counts each of animal cruelty after investigators found eight dogs in severely neglected condition at their Port St. Lucie home. (PSLPD)
Fiorenza and Calafiore were arrested and each face eight counts of animal cruelty — one for each dog.
Police credited the anonymous tip for helping save the animals’ lives and are urging anyone who suspects abuse or neglect to report it. The dogs remain in the care of animal control as they continue to recover.