LOXAHATCHEE, Fla. (CBS12) — Authorities discovered three severely underweight dogs wandering into a neighbor’s garage, prompting an investigation that revealed signs of prolonged neglect.
Christopher Monteleone, 45, faces animal cruelty, according to Palm Beach County Animal Care and Control (PBCACC). The PBCACC responded to a call on January 18, reporting three emaciated dogs — Tamtam, Betsy, and Pepper —who had wandered onto a nearby property in Loxahatchee. An animal control officer observed that all three dogs had visible ribs and hips, prompting further examination.
Monteleone told PBCACC officers he kept the dogs lean for hunting and that he had recently returned from a trip, according to the probable cause affidavit. He claimed a family friend was supposed to be caring for the animals and suggested one dog was underweight due to being “picked on” by the others. However, none of the dogs had received veterinary care or been vaccinated for rabies, as required by law…