- Florida, USA -
The Citrus County Sheriff’s Office announced the arrest of 20-year-old BRIANNA AUSTIN and her brother 19-year-old NICHOLAS RILEY AUSTIN (both pictured).
According to the affidavit obtained by Voice For Us, a deputy was dispatched to a home on 3550 E Viaduct Lane in Hernando on the morning of August 30, 2024, to assist Animal Control Officer Capablanco regarding a door that was left open resulting in multiple dogs exiting the home and running loose.
Upon arrival, the deputy learned from ACO Capablanco that five dogs had gotten out of the home and had been picked up by an Animal Control volunteer who then took them to a local animal shelter.
In view of the fact that the front door was wide open, the deputy conducted a security check to attempt to identify the dogs’ guardian and make sure that no one was hurt inside the home.
As the deputy approached the home, he saw a large amount of feces as well as dried and wet urine all over the floor and furniture. The deputy reported that he found extremely difficult to walk as the floor did not have any spots that were “not covered in some kind of excrement.”
At one point, the deputy heard baking coming from a room which had the door closed. When the deputy opened the door, he found “a light-colored dog, of an unknown breed, which appeared to be malnourished and very frantic”, stated the affidavit. The deputy said that although the dog had food and water, the floor was completely covered with feces and so were the dog’s feet.
No one and no other animals were found at the home but the deputy said that it appeared that a child also lived there.
The deputy found a pay stub for BRIANNA AUSTIN which disclosed her current workplace so he called her for a further investigation. The affidavit shows that she is a groomer at Hands to Paws.
BRIANNA AUSTIN told the deputy that the dog who was in the bedroom was her brothers’ and the other five were hers. She also said that the living conditions of the dogs had been like that been like that for approximately two to three weeks.
The deputy reported that although the dogs had access to food and water, they “did not have access to use the restroom outside of the residence. This resulted in the defecation throughout the residence, which neither of them made any attempt to clean.”
It’s not explained in the affidavit who opened the front door of the home.
The animal shelter where the dogs were taken sent pictures showing that all of them had a “waxy feeling to their coat due to not being properly groomed”, stated the affidavit. The affidavit goes on to state that “The dogs also had fleas which didn't appear to have been treated. The dogs who had white in their coat, had stained yellow fur due to the urine.”
The siblings were arrested and charged with six counts of animal cruelty. Court records show they will be arraigned on October 17, 2024, at 9:15 a.m. before Judge Bruce E. Carney.
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Voice For Us Disclaimer: This story is sourced from the arrest affidavit obtained through a public search. 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 Citrus County Sheriff's Office
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