voiceforus
- Jun 20
- 3 min read

NIKKI CAMERLENGO, owner of Pawsitively Paradise, arrested following probe into deaths of dogs

- Florida, USA -

The owner of Pawsitively Paradise, a dog training facility in Palm City, Martin County, was arrested after an investigation into the deaths of multiple dogs entrusted into her care.

The Martin County Sheriff’s Office said in a press release that 35-year-old NIKKI CAMERLENGO (pictured), was taken into custody on June 19, 2024, in Ft. Pierce and therefore she was booked into the St. Lucie County Jail.

CAMERLENGO has been charged with one felony count of animal cruelty in connection with the latest dog who died in her care at the facility. The furvictim, a 2-year-old Cavapoo puppy named Beau, died in March 2024.

The sheriff’s office also mentioned a 15-year-old Goldendoodle named Flurie and a 2-year-old Flat Coat Retriever name Mako who suddenly died while “in the sole care” of CAMERLENGO “at different times for training, boarding, or grooming.” As stated in the release, “All of the dogs were in good health prior to being taken to Pawsitively Paradise.”

The Martin County Sheriff’s Office opened a criminal investigation and Detective Christine Polizzi spent weeks trying to determine why Beau, Flurie, and Mako suddenly died without explanation.

Detective Polizzi worked closely with ASPCA forensic experts at labs in Florida as well as a lab in Texas where the remains of Beau and Flurie were sent to be examined.

The results of the necropsy performed on Beau revealed that “Beau’s injuries were severe and included blows to the neck, chest, belly, and private areas causing hemorrhaging to the brain.”

“Flurie also died from acute hemorrhaging of the brain.”

Mako’s family arranged for a private necropsy to be performed on him. Mako mysteriously died in 2022, and results showed that he drowned on his own vomit.

“Forensic experts revealed that the dogs did not die quickly, instead they succumbed to long and painful deaths”, stated the release.

After the Martin County Sheriff’s Office launched an investigation, CAMERLENGO moved her business to Ft. Pierce, where she was located and arrested.

According to the Martin County Sheriff’s Office, after investigative reports into CAMERLENGO surfaced, multiple other reports came to light involving dogs who mysteriously died or became severely injured while in CAMERLEGO’s care.

Most of the furvictims were under 4 years old. Unfortunately, some of the dogs were cremated, others date back several years, and the deaths of others were not reported. This means that in lack of medical records, the deaths of these Innocent Souls could not be included in the investigation.

CAMERLENGO was released the same day of her arrest after posting bail. A Martin County judge ordered that she not possess or be responsible for any animals until further order of the court. The Martin County Sheriff’s Office said that additional charges are expected.

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Voice For Us Disclaimer: This story is sourced from the press release by the Martin County Sheriff’s Office. Link included. 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.

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