POLK COUNTY, Fla. – An investigation into a second-grade teacher’s home in Polk County yielded hundreds of animals on Thursday, according to the sheriff’s office.
In a release, deputies said that the animal cruelty investigation involved a mobile home in Frostproof.
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During the investigation, Sheriff Grady Judd said that 142 cats, three dogs, chickens, ducks and a peacock were among 309 animals found in the home.
The teacher — identified by Judd as Lisa Lacharite, 48, a teacher at Frostproof Ben Hill Griffin, Jr. Elementary — was living in the home with her 75-year-old mother in what the sheriff described as a “hoarder situation.”
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Lacharite was booked at the Polk County Jail without incident to face five counts of animal cruelty, one count of elder neglect and 304 counts of animal neglect.
The animals were removed from the residence and taken to the county’s animal control, where they will be evaluated, according to a news release. Sheriff Judd at a news conference added that adoption fees are waived until the end of the year, requesting the help of anyone who may be considering getting a loved one a new pet for Christmas.
Polk County Animal Control will work with the general public, the SPCA, and animal rescue organizations to find forever homes for animals. Polk County Animal Control is asking the public who are interested in adopting the animals (cats, dogs) to stop by Animal Control today (Friday) or tomorrow (Saturday) at 7115 De Castro Rd, Winter Haven, FL. People can also email AnimalControl@polksheriff.org and provide your name, address, email, and telephone number and how you would like to help.
Polk County Sheriff's Office Public Information Officers | Dec. 22, 2023
Watch Friday’s news conference again in the video player below:
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