SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. – A Seminole County man who bonded out of jail on animal cruelty charges was caught selling puppies about a month later, according to the 18th Judicial Circuit State Attorney’s Office.
Brandon Blake, 40, was initially arrested on Nov. 22, 2022, when deputies said they found four dogs dead and dozens more malnourished at his Sanford residence. A report shows that the animals died as a result of neglect.
Investigators said the animals were found throughout the home and in outdoor kennels filled with feces without any food or water.
In total, deputies and animal services officials said more than 40 animals were identified and removed from Blake’s home, 24 of which had to be treated and one of which had to be euthanized.
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According to the State Attorney’s Office, Blake, who faced at least 26 counts of impounding or confining an animal without sufficient food or water, as well as at least four counts of animal abuse causing death, had been released from jail after posting a $16,000 bond with the condition he could not possess any additional animals.
Then, on Dec. 21, 2022, investigators discovered Blake was selling two puppies on social media for $1,000 each. Posing as customers, law enforcement officials said they met with Blake, who offered to sell them the puppies, thus violating his bond conditions.
His bond was revoked at a Jan. 19 hearing and he returned to Seminole County jail, where he awaits trial.
If convicted, each of Blake’s felony counts carries a maximum penalty of up to five years in prison and a $5,000 fine while each misdemeanor counts toward a maximum penalty of one year in jail and a $1,000 fine.
A trial date has yet to be set.
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