BEVERLY HILLS, Fla. — Deputies arrested a Citrus County couple this week on several animal abuse charges after finding several dogs living in deplorable conditions at a home.
Rory Alexander, 30, and 31-year-old Angelica Addison each face seven animal cruelty charges, with three of them considered felonies, according to the Citrus County Sheriff's Office.
Deputies say the sheriff's office animal control officers responded to a home on South Tyler Street about a barking dog. When they arrived, they found three small Chihuahuas running around in a front yard filled with garbage. The officers also noticed a smell of ammonia and feces from outside the home.
A thin Chihuahua in the backyard didn't respond to officers and tried to run away when they attempted to pick her up, deputies said.
At this point, officers and deputies entered the home in fear that the homeowner needed medical attention. They found the house had no power, it was cluttered and trash was everywhere — "spiderwebs, feces and mold covered every surface," according to the sheriff's office.
They also reportedly saw a large, thin husky covered in urine and feces in a wire crate with four empty bowls. Another dog was found on a "slimy, sticky" couch. Some food bowls were partially filled but there was no water for the dogs.
As one of the last dogs was being loaded into an animal control vehicle, the couple arrived home. They reportedly claimed they didn't live there but came back daily to take care of the dogs.
"There wasn't an inch of this house that wasn't covered in feces, urine, or garbage. There is zero excuse to force innocent animals to live in these disgusting conditions," Sheriff Mike Prendergast said in a statement. "I am thankful for the individual who called us to report the abhorrent treatment of these dogs, and I urge anyone who sees possible signs of animal abuse to do the same."
This is the second noted case of animal cruelty in Citrus County. Earlier this week, three people were arrested after they were found living with two children and multiple animals in a home filled with feces, urine and garbage.
