Lakeland woman gives up nearly 50 dogs during raid

LAKELAND, Fla. - Deputies are investigating a possible case of animal neglect after they found nearly 50 animals living in dirty cages in a Lakeland woman’s home.

The photos taken by deputies (see photo slide show) inside a Lakeland garage show Chihuahuas and Yorkshire Terriers living in filthy cages.

"Certainly, the smell of urine and feces was quite strong,” said Donna Wood, Polk County Sheriff’s spokesperson.

Deputies responded to 38-year-old Tiffany Kay Hood’s home at 4610 South Devon Avenue after an anonymous tipster reported a puppy mill in a residential neighborhood. Investigators say they found dozens of small breed dogs in multiple cages.

Deputies found 42 dogs and 1 cat living in the home, with 15 of the dogs living inside the garage. The other dogs were living in off-the-ground kennels in Hood’s backyard, according to deputies.

"It certainly does appear that she was raising them for sale. We did have momma dogs, last night, that were giving birth. We do expect that there will be other pets that will be born," said Wood.

Hood surrendered the dogs to animal control officers, telling them that she was overwhelmed with the number of animals because she had recently had a baby.

Polk County Animal Control is becoming overwhelmed as well. Numerous animal abuse investigations have packed the building, including one at a Lakeland pet store.

"It was hot inside. The temperature was 100-plus degrees," said Lt. Steve Horstman last week after deputies confiscated more than a dozen birds, lizards, and hamsters at Noah’s Ark pet store.

The population at the Polk County Animal Control office has soared. Right now they have more than 700 animals, that's more than twice the average number.  Adoptions help some, but not every animal can be placed into a new home.  Each animal is assessed on a case-by-case basis.

So far, Hood has not been charged, but remains under investigation for failing to provide proper immunization paperwork among other possible violations. All of her dogs will go up for adoption at Animal Control once they are evaluated.