Dogs left to die in backyard while owner vacations
Ruskin, FL (US)

Incident Date: Sunday, Sep 30, 2007
County: Hillsborough

Charges: Misdemeanor, Felony CTA
Disposition: Alleged

Alleged: Alicia Visscher

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.

References

• Tampa Bay's 10 - Oct 3, 2007

« FL State Animal Cruelty Map
« More cases in Hillsborough County, FL

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