RUSKIN, Fla. — Authorities tell ABC Action News they found the woman suspected of dumping her pets on the side of the road in Ruskin.
Critter Adoption and Rescue Effort, or C.A.R.E. Animal Shelter, told ABC Action News that the woman tried to surrender 10 cats and an elderly dog Tuesday morning along 27th Street. The shelter told the woman they couldn't accept the pets because the shelter was full.
RELATED: Woman caught on camera dumping 10 cats, elderly dog on side of the road in Ruskin
The woman was then caught on camera dumping all 11 of the pets on the side of the road. Authorities say they found the woman but did not release her identity.
UPDATE: pet owner has been found. I’m told Hillsborough County will file animal abandonment (misdemeanor) charges for each pet. @abcactionnews https://t.co/dwhErMaXXU
— Ryan Smith (@RyanReports) June 6, 2019
ABC Action News was told Hillsborough County plans to charge the woman with 11 counts of animal abandonment, which is a misdemeanor charge.
“She didn’t know what to do and didn’t think it was illegal to abandon the animals," said investigator Roger Mills. “There’s always options. There’s hundreds of rescues out there. If you go online, people will come to you."
Animal investigators told ABC Action News that most of the animals left on the side of the road have been found and will be up for adoption at a pet resource center. Investigators say they are still looking for "a couple of cats and the elderly dog."
Animal investigator with Hillsborough County tells me most of the animals left on side of road have been found, will be up for adoption at pet resource center. Still looking for a couple cats and elderly dog. @abcactionnews
— Ryan Smith (@RyanReports) June 6, 2019
Most of the cats are now being cared for the Hillsborough County's Pet Resource Center. Even thought they are over capacity, the facility will never turn away an animal being surrendered.
