New Animal Cruelty Charge Against Former Bradenton Cop, Pet Sitter

PALMETTO, FL — A new animal cruelty charge has been filed against a pet sitter and former Bradenton police officer, 29-year-old Nicholas Zotto, according to a Manatee County Sheriff’s Office news release.

Zotto was initially charged with animal cruelty in November, after videos surfaced of him being violent with Grizzly, a dog in his care.

The new charge stems from an incident at his business, Pawsome Sitters, in Palmetto, which he was supposed to have shut down, the sheriff’s office said.

Also Read: Pet Sitter, Former Bradenton Cop Charged With Animal Cruelty: State

Detectives learned that Zotto was boarding dogs just weeks after he was issued a notice to appear for animal abuse and ordered to stop conducting business by Manatee County Code Enforcement.

Zotto boarded two dogs at his business, which was run out of a home, from Nov. 18-29. When the owner came to pick them up, “one of the dogs looked sick and was in obvious discomfort,” the sheriff’s office said.

A veterinarian found the dog, a chihuahua and mini Aussie shepherd mix, was suffering from open sores and severe dehydration.

Investigators learned that while in Zotto’s care, the dog “was left in a confined space and sat in its own filth for an extended period,” MCSO said.

An arrest warrant was issued for Zotto, charging him with aggravated animal cruelty. Deputies have made attempts to arrest him, but he fled Manatee County and is believed to be in New York.