NATASHA JACKIE WILHELM and SEAN MICHAEL HUBSCHMITT arrested after four dogs died in their custody

- Florida, USA -

The Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office arrested 39-year-old NATASHA JACKIE WILHELM and 40-year-old SEAN MICHAEL HUBSCHMITT (both pictured), owners of K9 Training for Heroes, a Sarasota dog training business for veterans with PTSD.

This case dates back to October 27, 2024, when deputies responded to a home on 4087 Vana Drive in Sarasota after receiving a complaint about neglected dogs at the property. It was a neighbor who alerted the sheriff’s office after she had not seen anyone at the house since September 25, 2024, the day before Hurricane Helene hit Florida. The neighbor said that she could see “extremely malnourished dogs in cages” through the windows and further reported that there was an “unbearable” smell coming from the house.

Another nearby neighbor dragged one of the dogs in his/her cage to the lanai and gave the dog water. This poor soul was described to be extremely malnourished and emaciated with pus on his eyes, lying in his own fecal matter.

Responding deputies noticed a strong smell coming from the back of the home and made entry for a welfare check. Deputies reported that the house was in a state of disarray with a strong odor of decomposition, and feces and urine everywhere.

Deputies discovered four dogs, Piccolo, Rocky, Shylin and Tank.

Sadly, Piccolo and Shylin were found dead. One of them was discovered in a cage in a bedroom and the other one was found “unrecognizably decomposed” in a cage outside.

Although Rocky and Tank were found alive, they were extremely emaciated and later had to be euthanized due to their condition.

Deputies said there was no food or water for the Voiceless Victims except for what neighbors attempted to bring in.

Piccolo, Rocky, Shylin, and Tank were not connected to any clients; WILHELM and HUBSCHMITT were their guardians.

Piccolo and Shylin were taken to Sarasota County Animal Services and necropsies were performed. Results showed their cause of death was due to starvation.

Rocky and Tank were taken to Blue Pearl Pet Hospital where they were euthanized.

WILHELM and HUBSCHMITT told investigators that Shylin died before Hurricane Helene impacted Sarasota and they planned to bury her in the yard but were unable to because of HUBSCHMITT’s physical condition and ailments. According to court records, he is a disabled veteran and has service dogs who are “well cared for.”

The duo further told investigators that days before Hurricane Helene, they had to move out of the home “due to issues with the house and finances” and moved in with HUBSCHMITT’s parents. WILHELM and HUBSCHMITT went on to state that they could not take Piccolo, Rocky, Shylin and Tank with them, so they left them behind and agreed to take turns to go to the home to check on them, to feed them, and walk them.

WILHELM and HUBSCHMITT were arrested on November 20, 2024, and charged with three felony counts of aggravated animal cruelty. Court records show they will be arraigned on January 3, 2025, at 9:00 a.m.

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Voice For Us Disclaimer: 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 provided to Voice For Us by the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office

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