[PHOTO CREDIT: Facebook / Lake County Animal Shelter]
[Original Publish Date: 12/28/19]
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MOUNT DORA, Florida — A Mount Dora man is facing five counts of animal cruelty after being picked up on a warrant Thursday.
In October, Lake County Animal Control Officers responded to 1925 Highland Park Boulevard, Mount Dora on an anonymous complaint of animal cruelty. In the front yard they found three pit bulls in two kennels with no food or water. The first kennel was so small that one dog was lying on top of the other, and two females were found to be dehydrated and covered in fleas. In the second kennel, a male was found dehydrated and covered in fleas. His water bowl was infested with algae and had a dead lizard and mosquito larvae in it, according to the affidavit.
In the backyard, officers found two more pit bulls, also dehydrated, in makeshift kennels. One dog was so emaciated, his ribs and hips were showing and the other dog had an abnormally bloated stomach and bloody sores from the excessive amount of fleas.
The landlord spoke with officers and said the dogs had been living in deplorable conditions for three weeks. According to the landlord, he told Donald Levon Barnes, 30, to clean up the property and provide the dogs with proper shelter, food and water, but Barnes refused.
The dogs were taken to a vet at the Lake County Animal Shelter and were given IVs for dehydration and medications for ear infections, flea infestations and bloody hair loss sores, according to the affidavit.
A warrant was issued for Barnes’ arrest in November and he was picked up Thursday and charged. He was released from the Lake County Jail on $5,000 bond.
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Our Editor-in-Chief, Marilyn M. Aciego, began writing for Lake Legal News in 2010. In addition, she has made more than two dozen appearances on live national television, including Nancy Grace and the Greta Van Susteren show, along with her appearance on Evil Twins. Contact her with breaking news, tips, and feedback by sending an e-mail to 352Tips@gmail.com. You can also contact us on our Facebook page — and make sure you “Like” and “Follow us” there. [PHOTO CREDIT: Bonnie Whicher]
