A Mascotte ranch owner can expect $1,200 in animal-cruelty fines when he returns from a trip to Mexico, county animal-services officials said.
Jose Castillo told Lake County animal-services workers that he had hired a caretaker to feed his three cows and horse while he was away. But neighbors said the animals weren't eating. Earlier this week, someone called to report the horse dead and said the cows were skinny at his ranch on the corner of Bonnet Slew and Lazy Acre roads, said Rene Segraves, the county's assistant animal-services director.
"You can't leave these animals and just go off and expect them to fend for themselves," Segraves said. Officials said they don't know when Castillo left or when he will return.
Animal services buried the horse's body and allowed a neighbor to adopt the three cows, Segraves said.
When Castillo comes back, he will be cited for cruelty and neglect, authorities said. Neighborhood MapFor more information about the Interactive Animal Cruelty Maps, see the map notes.
Back to Top References | Orlando Sentinel |  | WFTV - Jan 10, 2007 |
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