- Florida, USA -
The Citrus County Sheriff’s Office announced the arrest of 48-year-old JOSHUA LAWRENCE SIRMONS (pictured).
According to a release by the sheriff’s office, on the night of August 27, 2024, a deputy responded to a home on 3926 West Cross Drive in Dunnellon for an unrelated call for service.
Inside the home, the deputy “saw multiple wire crates stacked against a wall near the kitchen, partially covered by a large sheet”, stated the release. The deputy asked SIRMONS the reason for the sheet and he answered that there was nothing under it.
The deputy then removed the sheet and he found two small dogs who were trapped in filthy crates with no food or water.
The deputy reported that the dogs and the crates were “caked in feces, and the dog’s fur was stained orange by urine.”
The deputy also saw six dogs who were running loose “in the extremely cluttered and dirty home”, so he called in Citrus County Animal Control for assistance.
Upon searching the home, Animal Control Officers discovered two cats, a tortoise, and a large bird.
Many of the Voiceless Victims were underweight and many others displayed obvious untreated medical issues.
In a bedroom and bathroom, officers found litter boxes that did not appear to have been cleaned for many months. There were feces covering the floor area where the litter boxes were found.
The tortoise enclosure was infested with roaches, and the heat lamp was turned off. The deputy said the poor creature felt cold to the touch.
“The birdcage had several inches of feces, discarded food, and debris lining the bottom, and no food was available in the cage” said the sheriff’s office.
The deputy did not see any food or water available to the poor souls and when he pointed that out to SIRMONS, the scum stated, “the dogs could drink water from the toilet if thirsty.”
According to the sheriff’s office, SIRMONS could not provide any proof of veterinary care for any of the animals for several years and told the deputy that he had more dogs but they had passed this year.
SIRMONS was placed under arrest and booked into the Citrus County Jail on two felony counts of aggravated animal cruelty. Additional charges may be added once the shelter veterinarian completes medical intake exams.
SIRMONS agreed to sign a surrender form releasing ownership of all Voiceless Victims to the county.
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Voice For Us Disclaimer: This story is sourced from the press release by the Citrus 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.
SIRMONS ’mugshot shared from the Citrus County Jail
Pictures shared from Fox 13
What a horrible monster. Those innocent souls look so scared as well as neglected & skinny. I pray they recover from this jerk’s treatment & I highly recommend he be forced to drink from the toilet when he gets thirsty, whilst in jail. Putz!