Attorneys/Judges
| Judge(s): | R. James McCune Jr. |
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Live and dead animals found in RV & Van
Dunnellon, FL (US)Incident Date: Friday, Feb 25, 2011
County: Marion
Disposition: Alleged
Case Images: 4 files available
Alleged:
» Penelope Marsh Walker
» Gina Marie Walker
Case Updates: 2 update(s) available
Marion County Animal Services officials say they have rescued 37 animals, including dogs, goats and donkeys, from a motor home and van spotted in a Dunnellon parking lot.
The Dunnellon Police learned of suspicious vehicles at the Rainbow Square parking plaza on North Williams Street on Friday. An officer also noticed a strong animal odor coming from the vehicles.
Animal Control officers arrived at the scene and removed 37 live and at least 12 dead animals, according to a report put out today.
The animals found alive were kept in crates for the most part. The deceased animals were found in bags, coolers, boxes and crates. The rescuers found no food or water in the crates. They found a half bag of dog food in the motor home. The crates, meanwhile, were found with "layers of animal waste."
"Officers removed six pygmy goats, two donkeys and seven dogs from the van and two cats, 19 dogs and an African Grey bird from the motor home," the report states.
Dunnellon Police also removed owners Penelope Walker, 67, and daughter, Gina Walker, 44, from the scene.
Marion officials say the animals were brought to the Animal Center, given medical assessments and provided food, water and veterinary attention. The dogs were all severely underweight or emaciated, according to the veterinary staff. One dog was humanely euthanized because of its condition and suffering.
Animal Services plans to petition the court for custody of the animals and intends to work with police to bring animal cruelty charges against the owners.
The animals rescued are not yet available for adoption.
Case UpdatesMarion County Animal Services now has legal custody of 35 animals found recently in deplorable conditions inside two vehicles, an RV and a passenger van.
Judge James McCune said the animals' owners, Penelope Walker, 67, and her daughter, Gina Walker, 44, of Lakeland, were unfit to take care of the animals and forbid them to own any animals in the future without permission from a court.
The Walkers had to pay the county $2,997.12 in boarding fees and other expenses.
Before the dogs, cats, donkeys and other animals can be adopted, most of them have to be spayed or neutered said officials.
After receiving information from a citizen in late February about multiple animals in a vehicle in a parking lot, a Dunnellon Police Department officer investigated and called animal control.
The animals were transported to the animal center, where they have made significant improvements. | Source: ocala.com - Mar 25, 2011
Update posted on May 21, 2011 - 8:04PM |
About three days after more than three dozen animals were found in distressed conditions in a van and RV, the Dunnellon Police Department has charged two women with 37 counts each of cruelty to animals.
On Friday, after the vehicles were found in a parking lot, Penelope Walker, 67, and Gina Walker, her 44-year-old daughter, were taken for a mental health evaluations under the Baker Act. On Monday evening they were booked into the Marion County Jail.
The women are unemployed and have no address, according to their arrest affidavits.
"It was a horrific scene out there. Our concern was for the animals. They believe they were taking care of the animals, but they were not. Justice was served today," Police Chief Joanne Black said. | Source: ocala.com - Mar 1, 2011
Update posted on May 21, 2011 - 8:02PM |
References« FL State Animal Cruelty Map
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