A Dunnellon woman was taken into custody after deputies and animal control officers say they found roughly 92 animals living in filthy conditions on a five-acre spread known as Moonstone Field. Many of the animals appeared malnourished and in need of medical care, according to deputies, and a veterinarian on scene determined at least one horse had to be humanely euthanized. Investigators also uncovered another horse buried in a shallow grave on the property.
Deputies arrested 38-year-old Christina Mary Pitts of Dunnellon on June 2 after responding to a report of a horse in severe distress, according to the sheriff’s office. Once on site, the Citrus County Sheriff’s Office, Citrus County Animal Services and Countryside Animal Clinic began identifying and removing animals from the property. A veterinarian approved humane euthanasia for at least one animal. Investigators said 13 horses were in such poor condition that they could support felony animal-cruelty charges and that more counts may follow as forensic exams continue, as posted by the Citrus County Sheriff's Office.
Sheriff David Vincent called the situation both preventable and disturbing, saying “the level of suffering these animals endured was completely preventable.” Detectives say their investigation shows Pitts was solely responsible for caring for every animal on the property and for making decisions about their treatment. She was transported to the Citrus County Detention Facility for booking, and many of the animals were taken to the county shelter for medical evaluation, per the Citrus County Sheriff's Office.
Moonstone Field and public records
State business records with the Florida Division of Corporations list MOONSTONE FIELD LLC and identify Christina M. Pitts as the registered agent at 6725 North Oakfield Point in Dunnellon, tying the business entity to the same property cited by investigators, according to state filings. County authorities described the site as an operation that bred horses, dairy goats and Florida-native sheep, and deputies say the number of animals and the state they were in triggered the large-scale response.
Charges and legal context
Animal-control officials said the condition of 13 horses meets the threshold for potential felony counts, and prosecutors will decide how to proceed once forensic exams wrap up. Under Florida law, aggravated animal cruelty is a third-degree felony and, in some situations, killing or aggravated abuse of horses or cattle can be charged as a second-degree felony. See Fla. Stat. § 828.12 and § 828.125 for statutory penalties and definitions.
Shelter care and next steps
Citrus County Animal Services brought the animals to its Inverness facility for intake, medical workups and forensic processing, according to the county's animal-services page. Officials are asking the community to step up with fostering and adoption once the animals are cleared and say they want anyone with additional information to reach out to investigators.
Tips can be shared through the Citrus County Sheriff's Office tip line or its usual reporting channels, and information may also be submitted to Crime Stoppers at 1-888-ANY-TIPS (888-269-8477), per the sheriff's office. Local authorities say ongoing forensic examinations and follow-up interviews will determine whether more charges are filed as the investigation moves forward.
