Nearly 200 dogs found in Putnam County residence; Animal Control is asking for help with adoptions

PUTNAM COUNTY, Fla. – Nearly 200 small mixed-breed dogs were found in an Interlachen residence Wednesday by the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office and Putnam County Animal Control.

Officials said they were notified of the case earlier in the week about possible negligence.

Officers met with the elderly owner and determined that the dogs were being fed and cared for, but the situation had gotten out of hand due to the number of dogs that had not been spayed or neutered.

The dogs will be taken to the Animal Control facility at 174 Landfill Road in Palatka for temporary housing. Dogs are available at 501c3 designated rescues.

“We want to make sure these animals are cared for and cared for in appropriate homes, so we’re calling on rescues to help because of the large number of animals we’ve received for adoption,” said Deputy County Administrator Julianne Young. . “This is something that Animal Control facilities cannot handle long-term for adoption purposes.”

Officials said the dogs have been fed, but they will need help from rescues to keep them updated on vetting and grooming.

“I’m not sure that this is going to be any kind of evil or criminal intent here, what it looks like is a situation that got out of control, that resulted in these animals being unvaccinated, very dirty, covered in fleas, and that kind of stuff,” said Putnam County Sheriff’s Office Col. Joseph Wells.

Some dogs are available for release today because the owner has cooperated with officials.

“We will continue to work with the owner in this situation as long as he remains cooperative. However, this is a reminder about the importance of spaying and neutering pets,” said Wells. “The living situation for the owner as well as the animals has worsened and now we are trying to find homes for many more dogs.”

This is the second time multiple animals have been removed from a property in our region. Although the circumstances are different, last week 56 dogs were removed from two homes north and west of Jacksonville.

Michael Bricker, head of animal care and protective services, said they still have 30 to 40 dogs at their facility, but they are in their own kennels and get a lot of enrichment and attention from volunteers and the public.

“We have already sent a group of them to foster homes. So many of them are sleeping on couches now. We adopted a bunch of them. One lives in my office. She’s amazing, her name is Tequila, but they’re really good,” Bricker said.

Bricker said two people were charged with animal cruelty.

“We had at least one dog with some pretty serious injuries that we got from those properties. So I know there were at least a few animal cruelty cases related to that dog. His name is People’s. He’s one of the injured. But he’s doing great to still see you for adoption,” Bricker said.

Wells said the community is already reaching out to help with the influx of dogs they are dealing with.

“We will be immediately happy to take any donation of dog food. Remember, most of these are very small dogs, so smaller dog food, wet and dry, any kind of blanket, dog toys, anything along those lines that can only help us,” he said.

Donations can be brought to the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office headquarters at 130 Orie Griffin Boulevard.

Wells said at this point the property owner is facing misdemeanor charges but that could change as the case progresses.