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…

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