In a shocking incident, a Florida woman, Lisa Lacharite, has been charged with multiple counts of animal neglect after authorities seized 309 animals, including ducks, chickens, geese, cats, and dogs, from her unsanitary property and mobile home.
The arrest highlights the dire conditions in which the animals were kept and sheds light on the challenges faced by Lacharite, who claimed to be her elderly mother’s caregiver.
Florida Woman Faces Felony Charges
The alarming situation came to light when deputies from the Polk County Sheriff’s office conducted a welfare check following a tip about a possible hoarding situation involving cats at Lacharite’s residence on Fazzini Drive in Frostproof, Central Florida.
The 48-year-old was arrested and charged with five counts of felony animal neglect, 304 counts of animal neglect, and one count of elder neglect. Lacharite is currently held without incident at the Polk County jail.
Upon entering the premises, deputies were met with a strong stench of ammonia, prompting the use of respirator masks due to hazardous conditions.
The property was found to be squalid, with over 300 animals living in unsanitary conditions. Cats, geese, ducks, birds, and dogs were discovered both inside and outside the mobile home. The filthy environment posed severe health risks, with ammonia levels considered lethal over time.
During a press conference, Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd presented a contrasting image of Lacharite, who, despite describing herself as an animal rescuer, faced charges of neglect and abuse.
The sheriff acknowledged that Lacharite seemed overwhelmed but emphasized that her actions constituted a clear violation of the law. Lacharite admitted to authorities that the living conditions were untenable for her and her mother, citing an overwhelming number of animals as the primary challenge.
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Animal Neglect Case Exposed
The investigation revealed that Lacharite neglected her legal obligations to care for the animals, many of whom lacked proper ventilation.
Ammonia levels inside the residence were deemed lethal, causing respiratory problems in at least five cats. Lacharite’s 75-year-old mother, found with glassy eyes and limited mobility, was promptly removed from the residence.
All 309 animals were surrendered, excluding Lacharite’s three dogs and her mother’s three cats. Animal control specialists found various animals in deplorable conditions, including chickens, ducks, geese, and a peacock.
The Polk County Animal Control and animal rights groups are now working to rehome the rescued animals. Anyone interested in adopting these animals is encouraged to contact Animal Control at [email protected].
The case of Lisa Lacharite serves as a stark reminder of the challenges faced by individuals overwhelmed by the responsibility of caring for numerous animals.
While her intentions may have been rooted in compassion, the deplorable conditions in which the animals were kept necessitated intervention.
As authorities work to rehome the animals and address the legal consequences, this incident highlights the importance of responsible animal care and the severe consequences of neglect.
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