An eviction in Highlands County, Florida, led to a large-scale animal rescue when deputies found 46 dogs and 8 cats living in squalid conditions in a Sebring mobile home filled with animal waste, roaches, and rats. A mother and son were arrested following the discovery.
A report by First Coast News revealed that the conditions at the home were discovered incidentally on Tuesday as deputies went to conduct an eviction. During the eviction, authorities found over 50 animals in poor condition, leading to immediate action. Darlene Hutchinson, 66, and her son, Arthur Doliver, 36, were charged with 56 counts of animal cruelty.
Inside the home, deputies found that "the entire floor of the home was covered in animal feces and there were many crates, the bottoms of which were also covered with several inches of feces, stacked upon each other," as stated in the sheriff's office press release obtained by MSN News. Further detailing the severity of the situation, it was reported that the animals were confined to crates covered with cloths, severely limiting any airflow, and that the water bowls were found to contain urine instead of water.
As the rescue operation unfolded, several of the dogs were noted to have visible flea infestations, and others exhibited noticeable hair loss, as reported by FOX 13 News.
Hutchinson and Doliver told deputies they had lived in the home for six years, starting with just two dogs and one cat. Now facing charges for neglect, the rescued animals are expected to receive the care they need.
