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TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — A woman has been arrested in connection with a mother dog who died Friday after she and her two puppies were found abandoned behind a Lutz gas station.
According to the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, at 5:08 p.m. Friday, deputies responded to the Humane Society of Tampa Bay after staff reported the intake of the three dogs who were severely neglected.
All three dogs were urine-soaked, emaciated, and each weighed only 16 pounds.
Deputies said that one of the animals was critically malnourished and presented signs of imminent death. To prevent further suffering, the dog was humanely euthanised.
The other two dogs are currently recovering.
An investigation revealed that the dogs were abandoned by a woman identified as Carla Sanchez Diaz, 29. Deputies said Sanchez Diaz claimed to have found the animals abandoned in the woods behind the Blessings Gas Station, located at 18215 U.S. Highway 41.
According to HCSO, deputies uncovered several inconsistencies in her statements and, were able to obtain video surveillance from the gas station. Through that and a witness interview, they determined that the dogs had not been discovered at that location.
On Saturday, deputies visited Sanchez Diaz at her home, where they said she made a full confession.
During a search of the residence, deputies located two more dogs and five children living inside the home.
The animals were taken into custody by Hillsborough County Animal Control, and the children have been placed in the custody of the Florida Department of Children and Families.
“The conditions uncovered in this case are truly appalling. To subject both children and animals to such neglect is not only inexcusable, it is inhumane,” said Sheriff Chad Chronister. “Let me be clear: in Hillsborough County, cruelty and neglect will never go without consequence. We will always stand up for the most vulnerable, and we will ensure those responsible are held fully accountable. I applaud our deputies for their swift work to put this person behind bars.”
The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office arrested Sanchez Diaz and has charged her with child neglect, aggravated cruelty to animals, unlawful confinement of animals, and abandonment of animals.
