87 Animals Taken From New Port Richey Home

NEW PORT RICHEY, FL — Pasco County has seized 87 animals from a home on Teak Street in the Griffin Park area. According to county spokesman Doug Tobin, the animals were removed from the home at 9115 Teak St. Tuesday.

Pasco County Animal Services director Mike Shumate said homeowner Patricia Abezis and caretaker Stanley Stroback were both cited for animal cruelty for the conditions found inside the home. Shumate said the home contained a high ammonia content and feces throughout.

"However, the animals were in fair condition and required only minor medical attention," Shumate wrote in an email to Patch.

All told, 41 small breed dogs and puppies were taken from the home, along with 46 cats and kittens.

"These animals were surrendered by the owner pending in lieu of seizure due to the condition of the house, air quality, and you can only have a maximum of 9 domestic animals for a residential zoning in Pasco County," Shumate noted.

Some of the nursing cats and kittens were taken by the Suncoast Animal League. That nonprofit organization also took some of the nursing dogs and puppies.

Pasco County intends to spay/neuter, vaccinate, de-worm and prepare the ones at its Land O' Lakes shelter for adoption, Shumate said. "It’s best for potential adopters to come into the shelter to make sure the animals they want are still here or available."

For more information about the shelter, visit it online.

Image via Shutterstock

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