A 29-year-old Naples woman, Ida Marko, was arrested today and is facing felony charges of aggravated animal cruelty after Collier County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) detectives rescued a severely neglected dog from her care. The arrest follows an extensive investigation by the CCSO Animal Cruelty Investigations Alliance into the welfare of a 12-year-old white Samoyed named Sammy.
According to detectives, Marko repeatedly refused to provide necessary medical care and grooming for Sammy, despite multiple citations and fines issued by Collier County Animal Control. The investigation began in November when a concerned citizen found Sammy running loose on Sabal Ridge Lane and brought the distressed animal to Collier County Domestic Animal Services.
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Sheriff Kevin Rambosk expressed his dismay at the situation, stating, “This was a heartbreaking case. Thanks to the coordinated effort by our detectives and local animal welfare agencies, Sammy is safe and on the mend, and the suspect will now be held accountable for her neglectful actions.”
Upon initial examination in November, Sammy presented with bleeding gums and clear signs of severe dental distress. The dog’s fur was so severely matted that animal services staff were initially unable to determine its gender. Collier County Animal Control Officers issued two citations to Marko, mandating that she seek veterinary care and professional grooming for Sammy. These citations carried a mandatory court appearance.
Despite the citations, Marko allegedly refused to allow animal control officers access to check on Sammy and admitted that the animal had not received the required care. She subsequently failed to appear in court, was found guilty, and fined $500. Following this, the magistrate referred the case to the CCSO for further investigation due to the continued concerns for Sammy’s well-being.
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CCSO detectives discovered that Sammy’s condition had significantly deteriorated. The dog’s matted fur had become even more restrictive, hindering its movement, and it displayed signs of both oral and ear infections. Based on their findings, detectives concluded that Sammy had endured prolonged and unnecessary suffering as a direct result of Marko’s willful neglect.
Armed with this evidence, detectives obtained a search warrant for Marko’s property and successfully removed Sammy. The warrant also granted CCSO temporary custody of the dog to ensure immediate medical attention and a thorough veterinary evaluation.
The true extent of Sammy’s suffering was revealed during an examination by the veterinary team at the Patty Baker Humane Society of Naples (PBHSN).
PBHSN Chief Medical Officer Dr. John Morton diagnosed Sammy with severe matting, an advanced tooth infection, and chronic arthritis – all painful conditions that were deemed preventable or treatable with proper care. Dr. Morton concluded that Sammy had endured ongoing and unnecessary pain that could have been significantly reduced or avoided entirely with appropriate care and attention from its owner.
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Sammy is currently safe and receiving necessary treatment and care at Domestic Animal Services. The Collier County Sheriff’s Office has initiated a petition with the court to obtain full custody of the neglected Samoyed to ensure its future well-being.
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