Two people were detained after a hungry puppy was discovered in a bathroom of a local residence, Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey announced on Wednesday.
In a social media video, Ivey stated that the problem began on March 27, when a local animal rescue seized the dog and transported it to a neighboring animal hospital.
“They got there; the dog was extremely malnourished, emaciated — in just the worst of conditions,” Ivey said. “And it was a puppy that had been not fed, hadn’t given water (or) anything else.”
According to Ivey, the two ladies in this case refused to allow investigators enter their home because “they didn’t want us to see how bad the conditions were.”
According to Ivey, the puppy was held in a bathroom without food, drink, or veterinary treatment until its health deteriorated to the point when the women phoned for a rescue.
However, even after the puppy was rescued, detectives discovered that it was so starved that it could not even stand up, Ivey said.
“Our veterinarians told us that on the scale of 1-9, which is the scale that’s used to tell the health and condition of the dog, this dog was a one,” he said. “Basically, this dog was bones with skin.”
However, Ivey reported that the women claimed they had no idea what was wrong with the dog.
“Well, guess what? Trick or treat: you know something’s wrong now because you’re about to go to jail for it,” Ivey said.
The two women were identified as Alexza Ramos (26), and Keishawna Mass (26).
Both ladies are accused of animal abuse and keeping an animal confined without exercise or fresh air.
Meanwhile, Ivey urged locals to report any instances of animal maltreatment by contacting (321) 633-2024.
There has been no additional information offered at this time.
