Couple accused of abandoning dog, 11 puppies at closed shelter turn themselves in to WCSO

Sierra Rains, Northwest Florida Daily News
·2 min read
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DeFUNIAK SPRINGS — A man and woman who were caught on surveillance footage recently abandoning a dog and her 11 puppies outside a closed animal shelter have turned themselves in to the Walton County Sheriff’s Office.

The couple were seen pulling up to the Walton County Animal Shelter in DeFuniak Springs just before noon on Dec. 19, according to a Facebook post by the Sheriff’s Office.

Previous coverage: Have you seen this couple? Man and woman abandon dog, 11 puppies outside closed shelter

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The video showed them sifting through donations left at the front of the building before leaving a black dog and her 11 puppies behind. The animal shelter is closed to the public on Sundays, but the staff is always on hand to care for the animals.

Staffers noticed the black dog peering through the window about an hour after it was left outside, and the puppies were soon discovered in a box left by the door. The animals were brought inside and later taken to the Alaqua Animal Refuge in Freeport to find foster homes.

“These dogs have clearly had a rough 24 hours. Abandoned days before Christmas and left out in the cold,” the WCSO said in a Facebook post Dec.20. “There is no indication of what kind of treatment these animals received before coming to the shelter. But they are in good hands now.”

Surveillance footage shows a man and woman accused of abandoning a dog and her 11 puppies outside the Walton County Animal Shelter in DeFuniak Springs on Dec. 19. The couple were seen leaving a box outside the building and sifting through donations.
Surveillance footage shows a man and woman accused of abandoning a dog and her 11 puppies outside the Walton County Animal Shelter in DeFuniak Springs on Dec. 19. The couple were seen leaving a box outside the building and sifting through donations.

According to the WCSO, charges are pending further investigation. The suspects’ names had not been released as of Thursday morning. Both are reportedly Okaloosa County residents.

Abandoning animals is illegal. According to Florida State Statutes, anyone who abandons an animal could face a fine of up to $5,000 or both imprisonment and a fine.

Walton County Animal Services asks that anyone who is having trouble taking care of their pets reach out to the shelter.

A sign on the front door of the shelter reads, “STOP, do not bring your animals inside. For assistance call, (850) 892-8758.”

“Turing your animals in when you are in dire circumstances is certainly one thing,” the WCSO said in a Thursday Facebook post. “We recognize and know things are hard for everyone right now. But there is a right way to surrender your animals and a wrong way. This is certainly not the right way.”

This is a developing story. More information will be released as it becomes available.

This article originally appeared on Northwest Florida Daily News: Florida couple accused of abandoning dog, 11 puppies identified by WCSO