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PALM CITY, Fla. (WPBF) — A Martin County woman is facing felony and misdemeanor animal cruelty charges after deputies discovered 36 dogs living in unsanitary conditions inside her Palm City home.
The Martin County Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant earlier today and spent much of the afternoon removing the animals, which ranged from puppies to adult border collies. Investigators wore hazmat suits as they worked to retrieve the dogs.
“The animals are in deplorable conditions,” Sheriff John Budensiek said.
Budensiek described the state of the home, saying, “The food bowls, the water bowls in there are covered in feces. The animals themselves, the dogs, which are supposed to be border collies, beautiful dogs, are covered in feces. They’re supposed to be white and black dogs, and they’re solid black from the feces.”
He added that some of the dogs were skittish and hiding, making it difficult for investigators to remove them.
“Currently right now, there’s more dogs in there than what they’ve been able to get out because they’re skittish, they’re hiding,” Budensiek said.
According to Budensiek, the homeowner, Paige O’Donnell, was previously an AKC breeder. He said the last time officials were allowed inside the home was in 2020, when the animals were in acceptable condition. However, between 2020 and 2022, O’Donnell reportedly underwent treatment for alcohol abuse and began “playing the legal game” to block officials from accessing her home.
A neighbor, Tessa Nabors, expressed hope that the situation would lead to change.
“Hopefully she gets the help that she also needs, but she shouldn’t be subjecting animals to that type of situation because they’re being forced to live in that, and that’s disgusting on her part,” Nabors said.
The sheriff confirmed that all 36 dogs removed from the home will be taken to the Humane Society of the Treasure Coast.
O’Donnell is expected to appear in court Tuesday.
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