The Sarasota County Sheriff's Office arrested and charged a Lehigh Acres woman with animal cruelty after she starved her adopted dog for more than six-months.
Alexandria Drew, 20, was charged with cruelty to animals and confinement without sufficient food and was released on $1,000 bond on September 13, 2016.
Drew attempted to bring the 10-month-old Border Collie to the Sheriff's Office Animal Services facility on Bee Ridge Road to pass it off as a stray. Animal Services personnel checked the dog's registered microchip and Drew was listed as the registered owner.
Drew adopted "Richter" in March of this year from the Humane Society of Sarasota County. At the time of adoption, the dog weighed 25 pounds. When Drew brought the dog in on September 13, it weighed 20 pounds.
"Richter" suffered malnourishment from neglect and lack of food, veterinarians said.
Drew told authorities that she was too busy working to take care of the dog and she couldn't afford paying $30 to surrender the dog to the Humane Society.
"Richter" remains at the Humane Society of Sarasota County where he is expected to make a full recovery. If you would love to give "Richter" a loving, fur-ever home, contact the Humane Society of Sarasota County.
