- Florida, USA -
The Highlands County Sheriff's Office announced the arrest of 66-year-old DARLENE HUTCHINSON and her son, 36-year-old ARTHUR MELVIN DOLIVER (both pictured).
According to the office’s press release, what started out as an eviction, turned instead into a rescue operation for over fifty animals from the duo’s home.
On the afternoon of November 19, 2024, deputies went to 17215 Broadland Lane in the Kissimmee River Estates neighborhood to initiate an eviction process. However, once inside the single-wide mobile home, deputies discovered eight cats and forty-six dogs “living in what can only be described as deplorable conditions”, stated the release.
The sheriff's office said the entire floor of the home was covered in animal feces and garbage and infested with roaches and rats. The walls were covered with cobwebs.
Deputies found many crates, containing cats and dogs, that were covered with several inches of feces and a cloth covering the crates prevented any free air flow.
Inside the crates there were bowls that were filled with urine instead of water.
According to the sheriff's office, many of the dogs had visible flea infestations, many others had noticeable hair loss, and dogs with long fur were matted with dried feces.
Deputies said that many animals were not caged and learned that the ones who were trapped and locked in the crates had never been let out.
It took Highlands County Sheriff’s Office Animal Services Unit and deputies several hours to get all of the animals out of the home. All of the Voiceless Victims were taken to the Humane Society of Highlands County, FL as the Animal Services facility is undergoing a construction project.
Deputies said the furvictims were scheduled to be seen by vets the following day.
The sheriff’s office tells me that no animals were found deceased and none of the rescued animals were euthanized.
HUTCHINSON and DOLIVER were arrested and charged with fifty-four counts of animal cruelty.
Deputies were told that mother and son had been living in the home for six years and started out with one cat and two dogs.
I asked the sheriff’s office why the duo had so many animals and I was told: “She said she took them in with the goal of finding them new homes, but that obviously was not true.”
Highlands County Sheriff Paul Blackman said in a statement: “Treating even one animal like this is inexcusable, but having more than 50 of them living in this kind of condition is just mind-boggling. There is no reason anyone can give that would justify animals being kept in this kind of situation.”
If you wish and can afford to assist the Humane Society of Highlands County, FL please click here. Thank you!
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Voice For Us Disclaimer: This story is sourced from the press release by the Highlands County Sheriff’s Office. Please note that details may be removed or new information added should updates become available.
In the case of charges being dropped, dismissed, or the case being purged, this article will be rectified accordingly, if official documentation is provided to Voice For Us.
Mugshots shared from the Highlands County Sheriff's Office
Video by the Highlands County Sheriff's Office
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Bless every one of these innocent souls. What they endured was inexcusable. I also want to give my thanks to the author of Voice for Us for reporting & also always checking up on the details & the outcome of all these horrid events. It is a job not many could handle but the author exceeds here. 🙏🏽
I pray all these precious souls find the loving home they deserve.