HERNANDO COUNTY, Fla. — Hernando County Animal Enforcement officers seized a number of animals from a Ridge Manor property Friday after they were found in a state of neglect and cited the owner of the animals, according to the Sheriff's Office.
- Officers first visited property, made contact with animal owner in April
- Horse's hip and rib bones showing, dogs' pen covered with feces, mold
- County pushing petition to permanently remove animals
- More Hernando County stories
The agency says Animal Enforcement officers first made contact with the animals' owner, Kay Davis, 68, in April at the property located at 34125 Hyatt Road to conduct a welfare check on the animals, who appeared to be in distress.
Upon arrival, officers found a horse whose hip and rib bones were showing, an extremely overweight pot belly pig, and five dogs whose pen was covered in feces and mold.
Davis, who reportedly does not live on the property, told officers a man was coming later that day clean up the dogs' pen. Officers then told her she would need to have a veterinarian examine the horse and one of three goats on the property, which appeared to be malnourished.
Finally, they also advised her to have a farrier examine the horse. She told them she would do so on May 3, when she got paid next.
On April 24, officers touched base with Davis, who said a farrier would be out to see the horse on May 6.
Attempts to contact Davis were unsuccessful after that, according to the agency, prompting officers to return to the property Friday.
They found the horse's condition apparently worse, and that none of the animals had access to food. They also reportedly found the animals' water covered with algae.
All the animals were seized and transported to Animal Services in Brooksville. Officers cited Davis and another man, Glen Gulvin, 64, who allegedly helps care for the animals, for misdemeanor animal cruelty.
The agency is moving forward with a petition to permanently remove all of the animals from Davis's custody.