- Florida, USA -
On the early evening of August 15, 2024, the Lee County Sheriff's Office received a call from Blue Pearl Animal Hospital on 9500 Marketplace Road in Fort Myers in reference to an animal neglect case.
Deputy Barreto responded to the scene and learned from the staff that 26-year-old JONATHAN ZACHARY URQUIZO (pictured), brought his dog in for emergency treatment.
The report obtained by Voice For Us identified the dog as a 16-year-old female Golden Labrador mix named Molly.
According to the report, Molly was emaciated and had “maggots crawling out of her rectum.” The veterinarian who examined Molly determined that due to her condition, Molly had been neglected for some time.
Given the nature of the incident, Detective Melissa Harvey also responded to the scene and made contact with the veterinarian who had treated Molly, Dr. Meredith.
Dr. Meredith explained that when Molly was brought in, she was cachectic “which is beyond emaciated.” Additionally, Molly was severely dehydrated “at 10-12% which is life threatening”, stated the reports.
Molly had no ability to focus and had glassy eyes.
Dr. Meredith showed Detective Harvey the maggots that were crawling out of Molly's rectum and vulva. Molly's vulva was “bright red and severely irritated.” Molly also had various stages of flea infestation, was not ambulatory, and her blood pressure was so low it was unattainable.
As if all that was not enough, Molly's toenails were over an inch long and “drastically curved.” Dr. Meredith said it would be “excruciating for her to walk.”
Dr. Meredith further explained to Detective Harvey that she did not want to give Molly pain reliever “due to the possibility of them killing her.” She went on to say that Molly's condition did not happen in one or two weeks but it would have been over months to manifest. Then, she estimated that Molly would not make it 6-12 hours.
Dr. Meredith made contact with URQUIZO and advised him of her findings that this case is severe neglect and abuse. She also informed URQUIZO that euthanasia was necessary to end Molly's suffering.
According to the report, URQUIZO did not authorize the euthanasia despite knowing that death was impending based on Molly's vitals. He said he wanted to take her home and spend time with her before euthanasia. URQUIZO also expressed concern that the maggots could spread to his cat.
Detective Harvey attempted to speak with URQUIZO but he said he would not answer any questions.
Ultimately, a different veterinarian was authorized to proceed with Molly's euthanasia and afterwards her body was turned over to Lee County Domestic Animal services pending a necropsy.
Lee County Sheriff Carmine Marceno said: “It sickens me that this sweet dog, 𝐌𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐲, was just trying to live out her golden years but instead was treated so poorly by this 𝐩𝐨𝐨𝐫 𝐞𝐱𝐜𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐚 𝐦𝐚𝐧.”
URQUIZO’s cat, Ladybug, was thankfully rescued and Sheriff Marceno said: “I thank God for allowing my deputies to rescue Ladybug and save her from a terrible ending like Molly’s.”
Ladybug was taken to Blue Pearl Animal Hospital to be treated.
The sheriff’s office posted a video on their Facebook page showing the deplorable conditions Ladybug and Molly were forced to live in. As the sheriff’s office said, the house was covered in animal feces throughout and the video “shows just how disgusting the condition of the residence was for these two animals to live in.”
URQUIZO was arrested and charged with felony aggravated animal cruelty excessive pain/death and issued a citation by Lee County Domestic Animal Services for unsanitary conditions.
He was booked into the Lee County Jail and as Sheriff Marceno rightfully said, “Unlike his pets, he was given a clean place to stay at the Marceno Motel.”
At the time of writing, online records show that URQUIZO was released after posting bond.
According to court records, URQUIZO is set to be arraigned at Lee County Circuit Court on September 16, 2024, at 8:30 a.m.
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Disclaimer: This story is sourced from the report obtained by Voice For Us. 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.
URQUIZO’s mugshot shared from the Lee County Jail
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What a POS! Poor Molly. She was completely & totally failed in her life. The trauma she endured is sickening. Justice for Molly is vital. Thank G-d Ladybug was saved from a similar fate. Rest now Molly. You suffer no more across the Rainbow Bridge.