BROOKSVILLE, Fla. – On Tuesday, just after 10 a.m., Hernando County Sheriff’s deputies and animal enforcement officers, accompanied by representatives from Hernando, Pasco, and Hillsborough County animal services, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, and the University of Florida executed an Inspection Warrant at Golden Kennel LLC, located at 9203 Weatherly Road in Brooksville.
Animal Enforcement Officer M. Rowe obtained the Inspection Warrant as part of an ongoing investigation into sick puppies being housed at, and sold from, the kennel.
During the investigation, Rowe received information that several puppies had recently been sold from the kennel and within days of being sold, some of the puppies died of Canine parvovirus.*
When Rowe responded to Golden Kennel to investigate, the operator, Jian Karlos Ortiz Mendez, refused to allow Rowe full access to the puppies. As Rowe spoke to Ortiz Mendez in the office, she did observe a very sick puppy on the floor and questioned him about the condition of the puppy.
Ortiz Mendez told Rowe that his veterinarian “was aware.” Before leaving the property Rowe advised Ortiz Mendez that all puppies and adult dogs on the property needed to be seen by the veterinarian and treated accordingly if infected with the virus.
Upon execution of the Inspection Warrant on today’s date, Rowe located 11 dead puppies, improperly disposed of in garbage cans on the property.
Eight puppies were seized from the property and sent to local veterinarians for treatment. Each of the puppies exhibited signs consistent with Canine parvovirus.
All other dogs, approximately 138, were left on the property under the care of kennel staff. Authorities at Hernando County Animal Services will be revoking Ortiz Mendez’s kennel license.
“No dogs and-or puppies may be sold or removed from this location unless removed under the direct care of a licensed veterinarian,” said HCSO.
Deputies arrested Jian Karlos Ortiz Mendez, charging him with 11 counts of Aggravated Animal Cruelty and one misdemeanor count of Animal Neglect, stemming from a lack of water to kenneled dogs. His bond was set at $23,000.