The St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office has accused two people of animal abuse. The sheriff says that the pair had twenty-two abused and neglected dogs on their rental property. They claim that the dogs are malnourished and that they don’t have proper shelter.
The two individuals involved rent a property on Angle Road. It was the property owner that made the discovery and alerted authorities. It is unclear if either of the individuals charged has hired a Fort Pierce animal abuse attorney.
Authorities say that they found dogs tied and chained too tightly. Some dogs had facial cuts and appeared malnourished, police say. The owners appear to have been feeding the dogs bread. Law enforcement removed the animals. They took some to a veterinarian and others to the St. Lucie County humane society.
Animal cruelty in Florida
The two individuals facing criminal charges are charged with aggravated animal cruelty. That means that the district attorney says that the pair either intentionally did things or failed to do things that resulted in unnecessary or excessive pain and suffering to the animals. If they’re convicted, they face up to five years in prison and a $10,000 fine.
There is also a similar crime in Florida called animal cruelty. Animal cruelty occurs when someone acts in a cruel or inhumane way towards an animal. Anyone convicted of this misdemeanor in Florida can spend up to one year in jail. They can also pay a substantial fine.
What to do if you’re facing St. Lucie animal cruelty charges
Animal abuse charges in Florida are serious. A conviction can devastate you both personally and financially. It can hurt your prospects for employment and it can damage your reputation in the community. Law enforcement can jump to conclusions, and defending yourself can be very stressful. That’s especially true if you’re not working with a St. Lucie animal abuse criminal lawyer.
That’s why it’s important to contact St. Lucie criminal lawyer Jonathan Jay Kirschner if you’re facing animal abuse charges. He’s a qualified Fort Pierce animal abuse attorney, and he’s willing to help you fight for justice. Jonathan can help evaluate your case and help you defend yourself to the district attorney and to the jury. If you or someone you know is facing this or a similar legal situation, contact Jonathan Jay Kirschner, Esq., & Associates, LLC at (772) 489-8501.
