Dogs left to die in backyard while owner vacations Ruskin, FL (US) Incident Date: Sunday, Sep 30, 2007 County: Hillsborough Disposition: Alleged Charges: Misdemeanor, Felony CTA Alleged: Alicia Visscher

Case ID: 12358 Classification: Neglect / Abandonment Animal: dog (non pit-bull) View more cases in FL (US) Login to Watch this Case

A Hillsborough County woman has been arrested on animal cruelty charges, accused of leaving her three dogs to die in her backyard as she vacationed at Disney World.

Hillsborough Animal Services officials say 30-year-old Alicia Visscher of Ruskin left her three Dalmatians confined in the sun in her backyard without food and water.

Investigators were alerted to the situation by neighbors who heard the dogs incessantly crying and barking.

By the time rescuers got to the animals, one of the dogs, Alex, lay dying and had to be euthanized.

Visscher is charged with one count of felony animal cruelty and two counts of improper confinement of animals.

The two surviving Dalmatians, Freckles and Sam, will be put up for adoption.

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References

Tampa Bay's 10 - Oct 3, 2007

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