What's Tampa Bay Saying?

Animal Cruelty Cases: What's the Right Punishment?

Recent reports about kittens in a freezer and a dog who took an ax to the face have the Tampa Bay area buzzing about animal cruelty laws. What's your take?

Two high profile incidents of animal abuse have sparked a strong reaction from Patch readers and community members about what should happen to those found guilty of animal cruelty. In St. Petersburg, a man was accused of wrapping four kittens in sandwich bags and sticking them in his freezer. Three of the kittens are recovering in Largo, while the fourth didn't survive. And in Bradenton, a dog was found last month walking through a neighborhood after taking an ax or machete to the head and face. Local animal services officials called it the worst case of animal cruelty they had seen out of "hundreds of cases a year." The pit bull mix, named Axel, is doing well, and several rewards have been offered to help find his attacker, including $10,…

•  40 Comments
• Photos (2)

Horses Seized from Land O' Lakes Home Will Be Auctioned Tuesday

The Pasco County Sheriff's Office has cared for the animals since early May.

The Pasco County Sheriff's Office will sell ten horses Tuesday that were seized last month from Ellen Marie Marek of Land O' Lakes. Marek was arrested May 9 and charged with cruelty to animals after a deputy responding to a call about a dead horse on her property found multiple malnourished animals and unsafe conditions. The horses will be delivered to the Sumter County Farmer's Market (also known as Webster Cattle Market) on Tuesday, June 12. They will be offered for sale to the highest bidder starting at noon. Proceeds from the sale of the horses will be used to recoup the county's cost in feeding and caring for them since they were seized in May, a press release stated.

•  1 Comment
• Photos (3)

Woman Arrested for Animal Cruelty Has a History of Complaints

The sheriff's office worked with her for more than two years to help her improve conditions for her livestock. Things seemed to be getting better until an anonymous tip led to a grim discovery Wednesday.

  The Pasco County Sheriff’s Office was familiar with the woman arrested Wednesday after deputies found her animals in unsafe conditions. The property at 9856 Pangola Loop has been a problem for about two and a half years now, Agricultural Unit Cpl. Gennis Folsom said Thursday. Six loose animal complaints and four neglect complaints were received during  that time. Deputies worked with Ellen Marie Marek, a Kindred Healthcare nurse, in an “educational process," advising her to enlist a veterinarian and improve the property conditions for the animals, Folsom said. After a few months of monitoring by the sheriff’s office, things seemed to get better, he said. Photos taken of the animals in February showed they were reaching a healthier weight…

• Photos (7)

Puppy Found in Canal Remains in Stable Condition

There are several ways people can help Wilson on the road to recovery.

Ever since we ran the story about Wilson, the little pit-mix puppy found in a canal last week, we’ve been hearing from Patch readers who would like to help out. Patch spoke with the folks at Pasco County Animal Services to get an update on Wilson’s condition and see if there were things people could do to lend a hand to speed along his recovery. For those who don’t know, Wilson was found last week with one ear cut off, the other severed and medical tape and gauze around his neck. The puppy was suffering from hypothermia and was clinging to a palm frond that was floating in a canal in Holiday. The damage done to Wilson is indicative of a botched ear-cropping procedure, probably performed at home by his former owner, officials said. “…

• Photos (1)

Puppy Found in Canal in Stable Condition

Animal Services has named him Wilson.

A 6-week-old puppy found this morning in a Holiday canal is “doing better,” say officials at Pasco County Animal Services. Wilson, as he’s since been named, was discovered this morning clinging to a palm frond. He was suffering from hypothermia. He was also missing one ear and the other had been partially severed, said John Malley, interim director of animal services. “He has to undergo surgery for his right ear,” Malley said. “It’s going to have to be sutured. His condition now is stable.” When Wilson will undergo surgery is not clear. Malley said it’s up to the doctor to determine when he is healthy enough to handle the procedure. “We think he’ll recover,” Malley said. Cases like Wilson’s are not unheard of. “Essentially what people do …

•  1 Comment
• Photos (1)

What You Need To Know About Hot Weather And Your Pet

Providing pets with adequate shelter is the law in Pasco County.

Just like us, our pets need care when the weather is hot. They need to be hydrated, they need food and they need shelter. There are many instances, however, where these simple but life-saving items are either forgotten or neglected. On these hot Florida days, if your pet is an outside pet he/she needs to be monitored very closely and have certain items at their disposal. For starters, pets need water and food. It is illegal to leave your pet for more than 24 hours without either of these items available. If you are going to be away for more than 24 hours, arrange for someone to take care of them for you.  Shelter for your pet is another must-have item. At a minimum your outdoor pet shelter must be three sided with both a floor and roof. It…

• Photos (3)