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Case Snapshot

Case ID: 19377

Classification: Hoarding

Animal: cat, cow

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Hoarding - 21 animals seized, more dead
Punta Gorda, FL (US)

Incident Date: Thursday, Mar 1, 2012
County: Charlotte

Disposition: Alleged
Case Images: 6 files available

Alleged:
» Miriam Arango
» Ephram Poirer
» Maida Mateo-Garcia

Case Updates: 1 update(s) available

Animal welfare officers pulled emaciated cows, bulls and cats from a Charlotte County home. And while 21 animals are now getting the care they need - others weren't as lucky.

Two dead kittens and a cat were found on Huffmaster Road in Punta Gorda at the same home animal control officers raided in 2008.

When Animal Control officers received a tip about the isolated property, frustration was quick to follow.

That's because they say it's very rare that a judge will keep someone from owning animals - even if they were part of one of the largest animal seizures in Charlotte County history.

On Miriam Arango's property, there is dirt, trash and feces everywhere. And pulled from that property were 13 cats, four cows, and a bull.

In 2008, animal control took an astonishing 214 animals from the same property and many of those had to be put down.

Brian Jones, with Charlotte County Animal Control, explained that a year later, Arango was arrested on animal cruelty charges and ended up serving probation.

Reporter Steve Campion: Every viewer is sitting at home saying, 'How is she allowed to have animals again?'
Jones: I don't have the answer to that question. It's hard to believe a person convicted of a crime like that would be able to have animals in the future.

Arango hasn't been home. But animal control officers say she claims the animals weren't hers - that she simply allowed other people to board them there.

They say this is an open animal cruelty investigation and charges could follow.

Case Updates

References

• « FL State Animal Cruelty Map
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