LAKELAND, Fla. – The Polk County Sheriff’s Office Animal Cruelty Investigations Unit has made another arrest for animal cruelty this week, unrelated to a previous October 1st incident.
In the latest case, 26-year-old Andrew Whitehurst, of Lakeland, was arrested after authorities discovered his three dogs left in dire conditions inside his residence at 5616 3rd Street SE #4. One of the dogs had died, while the other two were found severely malnourished and dehydrated. Whitehurst told deputies he had “left town for work” and assumed a family member would care for the animals, but no arrangements had been made.
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“If you own pets, it is your responsibility to take care of them by providing them with food, water, and shelter which includes free-flowing air. Not doing so is evidence of someone with no conscience and a great disregard for life. Andrew doesn’t deserve to be a pet owner ever again,” said Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd.
The investigation began on October 2, 2024, when deputies were called to do a well-being check on the home after a witness reported seeing undernourished dogs inside. Upon arrival, deputies found the power off, a foul odor emanating from the residence, and no one home. Whitehurst initially gave a false name to deputies but eventually admitted the dogs were his and that he had left them alone since September 26.
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Inside the home, investigators found flies on the windows, a deceased dog, two malnourished dogs, and floors covered in feces and urine. There was no air conditioning, ventilation, or fresh water available for the animals. The deceased dog was found in the living room and was already beginning to decompose. A necropsy will be performed to determine the cause of death, though it is believed to be heat-related.
Whitehurst has been charged with three counts of felony animal cruelty, one count of confining an animal without sufficient food or water, and one count of providing false information to law enforcement. He is currently being held in the Polk County Jail, awaiting a first appearance hearing.
The two surviving dogs are being treated and rehabilitated at Polk County Animal Control.
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