A Tampa, Florida, woman has been detained in relation to a tragic case where a mother dog passed away after being found with her two puppies abandoned behind a gas station in Lutz.
The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office reported that on Friday at 5:08 p.m., deputies attended the Humane Society of Tampa Bay. Staff had brought in three dogs suffering from severe neglect.
All three dogs were urine-soaked, emaciated, and each weighed only 16 pounds.
One of the dogs was found in a critically malnourished state, showing signs that it would soon die. To stop it from suffering further, humane euthanasia was performed.
The other two dogs are currently recovering.
The investigation identified Carla Sanchez Diaz, 29, as the person who abandoned the dogs. She initially claimed the animals were found deserted in the woods behind Blessings Gas Station on U.S. Highway 41.
However, deputies found inaccuracies in her story and, with the aid of surveillance footage from the gas station and a witness’s testimony, confirmed that the dogs were not left at the spot she had mentioned.
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 dogs have been taken in by Hillsborough County Animal Control, while the puppies are now under the care 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.
