POLK COUNTY, Fla. – A 50-year-old man faces multiple animal cruelty charges after dead and malnourished dogs were discovered at two different properties, according to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office.
Deputies said that a property owner in Davenport contacted them when they noticed several dogs in cages who did not appear to be healthy at their Sylvan Ramble Road residence being rented by Lanoris Parker.
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According to a news release, when deputies arrived, they located two dead dogs in crates and several other dogs in extremely poor conditions.
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Deputies said in addition to the two dead dogs that were starting to decompose, nine other living dogs were found. Of those nine, three were unable to stand or walk and in extreme medical distress and ultimately “succumbed to their injuries.”
According to the release, the dogs were seized by Polk County Animal Control and deputies noted that there was no food or water in any of the dog kennels.
Deputies said when they arrived at Parker’s Poinciana home to place him under arrest, they found seven additional dogs there. Six were confined to crates inside a garage with no air movement, no water, and no food.
A second investigation was initiated at the house, and all seven of those dogs were seized. Six of those were also severely and criminally neglected, investigators said.
“The horrific abuse and neglect that these animals suffered is too awful for words and the photos don’t even adequately describe how much pain these dogs were in, not to mention the conditions, sights, and smells that our detectives were exposed to,” Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said. “Lanoris Parker is being held accountable for these crimes, and we will do everything in our power to ensure he never owns animals again.”
According to the release, environmental crimes detectives also responded to the Davenport home to investigate a burn pile and “multiple environmental hazards, including well over 400 pounds and 500 cubic feet of solid wastes, dilapidated structures, metal waste, and multiple containers holding congealed water allowing the breeding of mosquitoes and larvae.”
Parker also faces charges of operating an unpermitted landfill, burning without a permit, and keeping a nuisance injurious to health.
According to the release, Parker faces 15 felony counts of animal cruelty and two counts of confining animals without sufficient food/water. He was taken to the Polk County jail on $80,500 bond.
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