Hoarding - over 50 dogs, 30 cats Miami, FL (US) Incident Date: Wednesday, Aug 17, 2005 County: Miami-Dade Local Map: available Disposition: Alleged Case Images: 11 files available Alleged: Antonio Felipe Cardosa

Case ID: 5396 Classification: Hoarding Animal: cat, dog (non pit-bull), chicken View more cases in FL (US) Login to Watch this Case

Dozens of dogs and cats were found living in filthy conditions in a makeshift house in Southwest Miami-Dade County on Aug 17.

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation officials said they had warned Antonio Felipe Cardosa, 35, to leave the restricted area, near U.S. 27 and Krome Ave., months ago.

On Aug 17, officials said they found 43 dogs, 12 cats and a chicken living with Cardosa in horrible conditions. Authorities said some of the animals might have to be euthanized.

"One of our captains was flying over earlier today and he spotted the individual. He spotted that there were a lot of dogs roaming the area," said Jorge Pino, of FFWC.

Officials, who had warned Cardosa to leave the water management area before, said they were unaware of the filth in which he was living.

"We didn't know that he had, number one, that he was living here, and number two, that he had what we believe in excess of 50 dogs and about 30 cats in his home, what he considers his home," Pino said.

FFWC officials said Cardosa had been trespassing in the area, possibly living there, for more than five months, without water or electricity.

Animal control officials rounded up as many of the animals as possible Wednesday, while Miami-Dade police struggled to take Cardosa into custody.

"Based on some of his actions, he may be a little unstable. It's a very sad situation, not only for the gentleman, but for the dogs. These dogs may not have a chance to survive, unfortunately," Pino said.

James Edmonds, who lives in the area, said his four dogs disappeared last week.

"I was just hoping they might be here, so I was taking a chance that I might be able to identify them when they come out," Edmonds said.

Authorities said one of the dogs has a chip inside it, and that they will contact its owner Thursday morning. There is no word if the dog belonged to Edmonds.

Cardosa is in county jail facing a number of charges, including animal cruelty, trespassing, and possibly armed trespassing, because officials found him with a loaded shotgun.

All of the animals were taken to Animals Services for care after the discovery. Pizano said Thursday that one puppy died overnight, two had to be euthanized and another litter is in bad shape.

"The rest of the litters don't look very good," Pizano said. "Most of them have really bad skin disease."

Authorities say the animals will likely be kept at Animals Services for a while because they are part of a criminal investigation.

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References

	NBC 6 - Aug 17, 2005
	NBC 6 - Aug 18, 2005
	First Coast News - Aug 19, 1005

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