A Sarasota man was recently arrested after he failed to properly care for eight animals living on his property.
Ramon Gonzalez, 53, of Sarasota, is facing animal cruelty charges.
The Sarasota County Sheriff's Office said they were first made aware of two cows that appeared to be starving at the property located on Sinclair Drive in Sarasota.
When deputies responded to the home, they found four cows, two horses, a mini horse and a donkey at the back of the property without grass, leaves or any vegetation. All eight animals appeared to be underweight.
Gonzalez told deputies he knew the horse had been underweight and was trying to put weight on him by feeding it two scoops of sweet feed, some hay twice a day, and giving it a weight gain supplement. He told deputies he had been worming the animals with medication he bought from a vet's office but admitted that the animals had not been seen by a veterinarian before administering the worming medicine and he guessed it was what the animals needed.
The animals were confiscated on June 17 and have since been transferred out for rehabilitation.
Gonzalez was arrested on July 6 and charged with felony animal cruelty. He was released the same day on $2,000 bond.
