Following a check in April, investigators found nearly three hundred dogs, mostly puppies, stacked in cages one on top of the other Some appeared to be in bad shape and living in extremely unsanitary conditions.
The pet shop owner, Lynn Rice, has been investigated off and on for two decades now. Last November, Lynn Rice was found guilty of several citations against her in civil court. Now she could face criminal charges.
Lynn Rice is currently is licensed by the state to sell dogs. Rice has eight civil citations pending against her. A criminal investigation is also pending. Case UpdatesThe NBC News 12 I-Team has uncovered new documents drawn up by the State Attorney's office 13 years ago. They are a set of guidelines investigators say Rice hasn't been following.
First Coast News has uncovered documents drawn up by the State Attorney's office 13 years ago. It's an injunction Lynn Rice agreed to sign which placed certain stipulations on her and her business as required by the courts.
Stephen Siegel is an Assistant State Attorney looking into the Lynn Rice case. Siegel tells First Coast News, "The terms require her to make some steps with regard to the breeding. Make some steps in regard to the documentation that she provide the people that purchase dogs from her. She's to keep her facility in a particular."
They are requirements Rice has often failed to follow and has been found guilty several times in civil court but has never been charged criminally.
Daryle Tardy of NBC News 12 asked Siegel how likely is it that criminal charges could come. He replied with, "I can't comment on that."
The State Attorney's office does have an open file on Rice but won't comment on when charges might be filed or what those might be. It's also possible that a new injunction might be drafted. Lynn Rice had no comment regarding our story.
Former State Representative Joe Arnall, from Jacksonville Beach, sponsored a Pet Lemon Law in 1990 following the case involving Lynn Rice which protects pet owners.
Here's how it works. When you go to a pet store to purchase a cat or dog, you have the right to receive an official certification or veterinary inspection. It will list all vaccines the animal has gotten and if the animal has any medical conditions that require medicine. And if after you get home you find the animal is sick, you have two business days to bring the pet back and either get a new pet or your money back.
Read more: Update posted on Apr 9, 2004 - 12:49PM |
Neighborhood MapFor more information about the Interactive Animal Cruelty Maps, see the map notes.
Back to Top References« FL State Animal Cruelty Map
|
