Woman Faces Animal Cruelty, Child Neglect Charges: Hillsborough County Sheriff

LUTZ, FL — A woman was arrested for “disturbing cases of animal cruelty and child neglect,” the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office said in a news release.

Deputies responded to the Humane Society of Tampa Bay on Aug. 29 around 5 p.m. after staff reported the intake of three severely neglected dogs.

One of the dogs was critically malnourished and showed signs of imminent death, the sheriff’s office said. The dog was humanely euthanized to prevent additional suffering.

The other two dogs are recovering at the Humane Society.

The dogs were surrendered by a woman later identified as Carla Sanchez Diaz, 29.

She claimed the animals were found abandoned behind the Blessings Gas Station at 18215 U.S. Highway 41 in Lutz. Deputies noticed inconsistencies in her statements.

See Also:

• Missing Swimmer's Body Found Off Anna Maria Island: Manatee County Sheriff
• 2 Religious Leaders Arrested For Blocking FDOT Street Mural Removal In St. Pete
• 2 Dead In FL, LA After Eating Oysters Tainted With Flesh-Eating Bacteria: Reports

On Aug. 30, deputies got video surveillance footage from the gas station and interviewed witnesses, determining the dogs weren’t at that location.

Deputies went to Sanchez Diaz’s home in the 900 block of Montana Avenue, where she confessed to her involvement with the dogs.

While searching the home, they found two other dogs that were taken into custody by Hillsborough County Animal Control.

Authorities also found five children living in the home. The Florida Department of Children and Families responded and assumed custody of the children.

Sanchez Diaz was arrested and charged with five counts of child neglect, three counts of aggravated cruelty to animals, three counts of abandonment of animals, three counts of unlawful confinement or abandonment of an animal, and two counts of cruelty to animals.

“The conditions uncovered in this case are truly appalling. To subject both children and animals to such neglect is not only inexcusable, it is inhumane,” Sheriff Chad Chronister said. “Let me be clear: in Hillsborough County, cruelty and neglect will never go without consequence. We will always stand up for the most vulnerable, and we will ensure those responsible are held fully accountable. I applaud our deputies for their swift work to put this person behind bars.”