WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (CBS12) — Two men accused of multiple counts of aggravated animal cruelty were among the first arrests made by the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office’s newly formed Animal Cruelty Unit, Sheriff Ric Bradshaw announced ahead of a Thursday press conference detailing the unit’s launch.
The new unit, which has been in development for several months, will focus on investigating reports of abuse, neglect, abandonment, and other violations outlined under Florida’s animal protection statutes, according to the PBSO news release.
PBSO said the team was created in response to a steady rise in complex cruelty cases that require specialized training and coordination with veterinarians, prosecutors, and county animal welfare officials…