TAVARES, Fla. – A Lake County woman was arrested after Lake County detectives found 31 emaciated cows on a property in Tavares.
Lori Ann Gonzalez was arrested on Wednesday on 31 counts of animal cruelty and has posted bond.
An animal cruelty investigator went out to the property on Atlantis Road back in April for a welfare check on the cattle.
According to a probable cause affidavit, 31 zebu-style cattle were found in “extremely poor body condition, with prominent ribs, spine, and pelvic bones clearly visible, consistent with severe emaciation.”
“It’s hard to look at,” Sgt. Jim Vachon said. “There’s no need for cattle to be out there suffering like that.”
The affidavit also says the cows were in a pasture with little to no grass available, just remnants with hay that had been trampled into the ground, and the cows were not seen chewing cud, something they should be constantly doing as part of the digestive process.
Vachon said Gonzalez initially claimed a veterinarian had examined the cows and determined nothing was wrong. However, investigators said the animals appeared clearly malnourished.
“Even a person that didn’t know what they are talking about with cows would look at them and say there’s something wrong with these cows,” Vachon said.
The cows were taken into custody and evaluated. Most of the cows had a body condition score that indicated severe emaciation, with no measurable fat reserves. Tests also showed the presence of gastrointestinal parasites.
After weeks of investigation, deputies said they gathered enough evidence to move forward with charges against Gonzalez.
According to the sheriff’s office, all of the cattle have since been adopted by cattlemen.
“There’s resources available,” Vachon said. “During the pandemic and the economic downturn, there were smaller ranchers in the area that just couldn’t afford to care for their livestock anymore, and there are resources out there.”
Neighbors told News 6 they first reported concerns about the animals back in 2019. They said animal services responded at that time and conditions temporarily improved, but they believe the situation worsened over the past several years.
Neighbors also said they are not currently concerned about the wellbeing of goats still located on the property.
Gonzalez is scheduled to return to court June 1.