Over 250 animals living in squalor Sarasota, FL (US) Incident Date: Monday, Mar 12, 2001 County: Sarasota Local Map: available Disposition: Alleged Alleged: » Fred Clements » Barbara Kirk Bays

Case ID: 8522 Classification: Hoarding Animal: pig, other companion animal, chicken, rabbit (pet), bird (other farmed) View more cases in FL (US) Login to Watch this Case

Fred Clements, 62, and Barbara Kirk Bays, 72, were arrested on Friday after investigators found more than 250 rabbits, ducks, hogs, guinea pigs and other animals on their property located at 2011 North Euclid Avenue. They are being charged with animal cruelty and neglect.

The animals were kept in filthy conditions, most of the time without adequate food or water. There was so much fecal matter and urine the stench was "gagging" and could be smelled from neighbors' yards.

There were three decaying animal carcasses found on the property. Two animals, a paralyzed Peking duck and a rabbit, were euthanized the day of the raid. Most of the animals required veterinary assistance for flea infestations, various skin, ear mite, parasite conditions and being underweight. A few of the animals were bleeding or limping.

Bays was released from the Sarasota County jail on Saturday without bail. Bays said Clements owns the animals but she cared for them. They shared a home in Sarasota that was approximately 1,000 square. Clements remains in jail Monday, his bail was set at $360.

Clements listed his occupation as "pet sales."

Bays had been charged with animal cruelty in 1996 when 102 animals were found at her home and 92 had no water. She was arrested on charges of animal cruelty and improper euthanasia of dogs and cats. She was found guilty of the latter charge and placed on probation in August 1996.

The sheriff's animal control officers removed the animals requiring immediate care and left the rest at the property. One other person lived on the property. They will take care of the animals while Bays and Clements are in jail.

The property which is about 18,000 square feet was littered with feces and open containers of rain water. The yard was a breeding place for fleas, flies and mosquitoes.

Baby chicks were left out in the rain or in a cardboard box which contained gross amounts of feces. The animals in cages were very overcrowded, some animals were in pens filled with muck, and one hog was in a barbed wire cage.

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References

Sarasota FL Herald-Tribune - Mar 13, 2001

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