A Central Florida horse owner was recently arrested for felony animal cruelty and others on the property were also arrested.
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office Animal Cruelty Investigations Unit arrested a Lake Wales man for felony animal cruelty and seized horses and goats from his property on Poe Road in Lake Wales.
The investigation began after PCSO received a tip regarding two horses in a field that appeared to be malnourished. According to local law enforcement, the horses were found by deputies in the following conditions: one was extremely skinny, with its rib and hip bones visible; another was laying on the ground in its own feces, unable to lift its head, and barely breathing – this horse succumbed to its severe neglect and was deceased by the time detectives arrived.
Detectives also found numerous environmental hazards, and several adults and children living in various structures on the property. The homeowner, Joemanuel Nunez-Suarez, claimed ownership of most of the livestock, including eight horses (including the deceased one), 11 goats, and two sheep. Three of the horses were neglected and in poor condition. He told detectives that he was taking care of the animals for a friend but that it was too expensive to feed them, and that he told the friend to come get the animals three months ago…