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The owners of dozens of pets abandoned during Irma could be facing felony animal cruelty charges, according to the state’s prosecutor.
In the days leading up to Hurricane Irma’s south Florida landfall, Palm Beach County Animal Care and Control officers rescued at least 50 dogs, all that were found abandoned outside, most tied or chained to fences or poles, and others left inside crates, unable to escape to find shelter from 120mph winds, piercing rain, and rising floodwaters.
“This is a prime example of animal cruelty,” Palm Beach County state prosecutor Dave Aronberg told the New York Post.
Aronberg also indicated that he intends to prosecute any pet owner found to have abandoned their pets in such a horrific manner ahead of a potentially deadly storm.
“We will find you, and we will prosecute you,” he said, promising to seek felony charges against anyone who left dogs outside and abandoned ahead of the storm, provided that enough information can be found to press charges.
In addition to those left abandoned, Animal Care and Control also took in roughly 40 cats and dogs who were surrendered by their owners ahead of the storm. Those that surrendered their animals have given up ownership and will not be reunited following the storm.
In the aftermath of Irma, the ASPCA rescued an additional 600 dogs and cats that were left and shelters or abandoned and continue working to rescue others as they are found.
“It’s critical for pet owners to consider their animals when preparing for any disaster, and we strongly urge them to always bring their animals with them if they have to evacuate their home,” ASPCA Vice President Tim Rickey said in a statement.
“The ASPCA stands ready to assist animals in Hurricane Irma’s path, but the first and best line of defense for a pet will always be a well-prepared owner.”
Kendra mixon
Sep 13, 2017 at 11:45 pm
I am so happy to read this. I can't for the life of me understand how they could leave them behind let alone tied to something or in crates. It sickens me.
Elle n Tarasca
Sep 12, 2017 at 8:40 pm
This is an absolute disgrace! Only days before the hurricane in Florida a major storm/hurricane hit Texas and it was mentioned over and over again about leaving pets behind and the options available to someone needing shelter that has pets. How someone could be so selfish and flee this storm so they were/are safe but leave their most loyal family member behind "tieing" them to a possible death sentence is incomprehensible to me and I am happy it is because I would never want to understand how anyone could do that. Every day the lack of human compassion I see devastates me.