Auburndale resident Tammy Roosa was arrested today after the Polk County Sheriff's Office said a dog was found with its muzzle wrapped in duct tape. According to the sheriff's office, the investigation started when a photo of the dog surfaced on Facebook, and deputies located and detained Roosa later that same day. Authorities allege the case involves multiple counts of animal neglect and cruelty, along with other public‑health and environmental charges.
#CriminalOfTheDay Tammy Roosa, arrested for animal cruelty & other charges
— Polk County Sheriff 🚔 Grady Judd (@PolkCoSheriff) June 23, 2026
A Polk County Sheriff’s Office investigation into animal cruelty began with a photo of a dog on Facebook and ended with the arrest later that day of an Auburndale woman.
The dog had been found with duct… pic.twitter.com/PpwZuXcF99
Sheriff Says Facebook Photo Sparked Investigation
According to Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd, the Animal Cruelty Investigations Unit opened the case after a Facebook user shared an image of the dog with its muzzle taped. The sheriff’s post identifies the suspect as Tammy Roosa of Auburndale and lists charges that include aggravated animal cruelty (a third-degree felony), 15 counts of animal neglect (M1), resisting without violence (M1), operating an unpermitted landfill (M1), and three counts of keeping a nuisance injurious to health (M2). Deputies say the animal was removed for care, and the investigation remains active.
Charges And Potential Penalties
Aggravated animal cruelty is defined under Florida law as intentionally causing excessive or repeated suffering to an animal and is classified as a third-degree felony, punishable by up to five years in prison and fines, according to the Florida Statutes. The statute also allows judges to prohibit people convicted under this section from owning or caring for animals. Polk County has already seen several high-profile neglect cases this year, including a March seizure of more than 30 underweight dogs from a Mulberry property, as reported by FOX 13 Tampa Bay.
Where The Dog Is Now And What Comes Next
Polk County Animal Control handles seized animals and provides veterinary care and shelter while investigations are underway, according to information on the county’s Animal Services page, which also lists contact details and kennel hours. The investigation in this case is ongoing, and the sheriff's office has not released any further information about how it may be resolved.
