A woman was arrested by PCSO at her Lakeland home after her pet dogs were found dead in her backyard inside a crate. The suspect, Betsaida Sanchez DOB 06/25/1978) of Lakeland who owned and had custody of both dogs, confined them in a small wire crate in a high-heat environment for an extended amount of time. This caused both animals to die from dehydration and/or heat stroke.
Charges:
2 counts FELONY CRUELTY TO AN ANIMAL
2 counts UNLAWFUL DISPOSAL OF DEAD DOMESTIC ANIMAL
It should be noted that this is an unedited report of facts by PCSO. These facts are up for question and everyone is entitled to question the validity of facts by law enforcement in a court of law. Winter Haven Daily does not rewrite these facts as some meanings or interpretations could be in error and change context. We hope readers appreciate being able to read the information and come to your own conclusion.
“On May 13, 2024, the Lakeland Police Department requested assistance with a possible animal cruelty investigation at REDACTED, Lakeland. I responded to the scene and learned officers were called by a neighbor reporting two dead dogs in a crate outside the residence. The residence is a single-wide mobile home within the Sherwood Mobile Manor Mobile Home Park.
I spoke with the renter of the home, Betsaida Sanchez (suspect). The suspect told me the two dogs belong to her and she is their caretaker. The suspect stated that on May 11th, she put the two dogs in the wire crate and left the home for the day. The suspect stated she returned at approximately 2200 hours and found both dogs unresponsive in the crate. The suspect stated she sprayed them both with water and left them in the crate overnight. On May 12th, the dogs were still unresponsive, and she realized they were dead. The suspect stated she moved the crate containing the dogs to behind the residence, next to the fence line, and covered the crate with a blanket. The suspect stated she didn’t have a shovel to bury the dogs.
The dogs were identified as “Troublemaker,” a male Chihuahua mix (PCSO Animal ID #A1194953), and “Bear,” a female Chihuahua mix (PCSO Animal ID #A1194954).
The suspect then allowed me to view the dogs in the crate. The blanket covering the wire crate was loosely placed over the crate and did not fully enclose the crate. This allowed beast (wild and domestic animals) and birds to have access to their carcasses. Both dogs were covered in flies and maggots, and the smell of decomposition was overwhelming. There was no food or water bowl inside the crate. The suspect surrendered both dogs to PCSO to be taken for necropsies. I photographed the scene.
On May 14, 2024, REDACTED, Veterinarian, performed necropsies on both dogs.
On May 22, 2024, REDACTED provided me with a written report of her findings. REDACTED concluded, “Based on my findings from the necropsy exam performed on both dogs, it appears that these dogs died from dehydration and/or heat stroke. Due to the nature of the tissue examined during the necropsy, they have the appearance of living tissues exposed to high heat for extended periods of time. This cause of death is extremely painful, cruel, and caused great suffering to these animals prior to their final death.”
The suspect, who owned and had custody of both dogs, confined them in a small wire crate in a high-heat environment for an extended amount of time. This caused both animals to die from dehydration and/or heat stroke. According to a licensed veterinarian, this cause of death is extremely painful, cruel, and caused great suffering prior to their deaths, in violation of F.S.S 828.12(2).
The suspect disposed of the carcasses of both dogs (domestic animals) by dumping their bodies behind her residence to be devoured by beasts and birds, in violation of F.S.S 823.041.”
