‘Unbelievable situation’: Over 300 animals rescued in Polk County hoarding case
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FROSTPROOF, Fla. (WFLA) — Polk County residents are asked to open their homes to current shelter pets after over 300 animals were removed from a mobile home near Frostproof on Thursday.
A deputy responded to the home that morning for a welfare check after SPCA informed them a 75-year-old woman and several pets were living in a possible “hoarder situation,” Sheriff Grady Judd said in a news conference Friday.
Hundreds of cats, chickens, ducks seized from Polk County mobile home
The deputy met Lisa Lacharite, 48, in the front yard and reported “strong ammonia smells” emanating from indoors. Lacharite, who works as a second grade teacher at Ben Hill Griffin Elementary School, told deputies she is her 75-year-old mother’s caretaker.
According to PCSO, the deputy saw about 75 cages containing chickens, ducks and peacocks on the enclosed front porch. Some of those animals “appeared to be malnourished and sick.”
When entering the home, the deputy reported an “overwhelming” odor of urine and seeing approximately 50 cats running through the mobile home, climbing furniture and laying on counters. Around 50 more cats were found elsewhere in the home.
The home had dried feces and urine up the walls, according to PCSO. At the news conference, Judd showed reporters photos of the walls and doors, as well as overflowing litter boxes.
When firefighters checked the air quality in the home, the ammonia levels measured between 70 and 100 parts per million, according to PCSO. Anything over 50 parts per million is considered a health hazard.
Lacharite’s mother “had glassy eyes and was not easily able to move” and was taken to the hospital to be checked out. Judd called the case “an unbelievable situation.”
According to PCSO, Lacharite told deputies that she was aware the living conditions were not healthy for both the humans and animals living in the home.
“She stated that she has been overwhelmed by the amount of animals she has, and that it has become too much for her to handle,” a PCSO news release stated.
According to Judd, Lacharite is “not an evil person, she is an overwhelmed cat lady.”
In total, 142 cats, 3 dogs, and 164 fowl – listed as ducks, chickens, geese and a peacock – were seized from the home. At least five of the cats were determined to be seriously sick with eye and nasal discharge and “significant respiratory problems,” according to PCSO. Others suffered from emaciation, wounds from fighting and missing fur.
Lacharite was charged with five counts of felony animal cruelty and 304 counts of animal neglect. She was also charged with elder neglect and booked into the Polk County Jail.
She may face additional criminal charges, according to PCSO. The arrest was also reported to the Polk County School Board for investigation.
“Come together. Come adopt. Help us make room in the shelter for the sick animals.”
The sudden surrender of over 300 animals “almost doubles the population” of the local shelter, Judd said. The county has waived all pet adoption fees through the end of the year in hopes residents will help clear out the current population of shelter pets to make room for more.
“People have dogs and cats that aren’t spayed or neutered, that continue to have puppies and kittens, and have, and have, and have, and then dump them on the side of the road and expect us to magically deal with them by ourselves,” Judd said. “This is not a SPCA problem, it’s not a Humane Society problem, it’s not an animal control problem. It’s a community problem and it takes everyone in the community to deal with it appropriately.”
The SPCA will take in the 22 cats they previously treated, but the rest are held at the Polk County Animal Control shelter. So far, none of the surrendered animals have had to be euthanized.
“We hope and pray that won’t be the case. But the end-game here, folks, is that there is only so much room at the inn,” Judd said. “So if you don’t help us, at some point in time, we won’t have a choice but to euthanize.”
Anyone interested in adopting a pet is asked to visit Polk County Animal Control on Friday or Saturday, ahead of Christmas. The shelter is located at 7115 De Castro Road in Winter Haven.
Residents can also email AnimalControl@polksheriff.org and provide their name, address, email, and telephone number and how they would like to help.
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