Animals seized from Hialeah home

HIALEAH, Fla. (WSVN) -- Authorities have seized dozens of sick animals from a townhouse.

Hialeah Police and the State Attorney's Office are investigating this as a case of animal cruelty. The authorities seized over 60 animals from the three-bedroom home of Ileana Arnais and Rubin Arrojo, located on West 26th Avenue, around 6 a.m. Thursday.

Miami-Dade county has a four dog limit per household not over thirty, as it turned out at this particular house. "I don't have over thirty," said Arnais, as she was placed in cuffs.

The animals found at the couple's home include dogs of all types of breeds, exotic birds and "about 10 cats, turtles, sugar gliders, hedgehogs, there is something in the back, which we don't know what it is because it is in some sort of a pond," said Hialeah City Council President Isis Garcia.

Officials said this is not the first time the home has been found with this many animals. After a groomer alerted police of deplorable conditions in the home, between the months of April and May, they took 34 animals, mostly dogs, from the residence. "We tried to go about it through civil remedies, get a code enforcement, get an inspector. We weren't getting much cooperation," said Carl Zogby of the Hialeah Police Department.

The State Attorney's Office charged Arnais and Arrojo with 34 counts of animal cruelty.

Their bond was set at $2,500 per count for the original 34 animals found. Officials said additional charges are pending for the animals removed from the home Thursday morning, as the couple never complied with police orders to get rid of animals beyond what is allowed by the law. "They're all third degree felonies, and they can face up to five years in state prison for each and every count," said Chief Assistant State Attorney Kathleen Hoag.

Rescue Crews said many of the animals were found in very bad condition. The home was covered in animal feces. Many of the dogs appeared to have skin, ear and eye infections. They have been taken to receive veterinary care. "Hopefully, they will find good homes and we screen them really carefully and people really step up to the plate to try to rescue these animals," said Cira Leslie of Better Life Rescue.

Officials said these animals will eventually be put up for adoption. For more information visit http://www.petfinder.com/index.html  or Better Life Rescue at 305-978-0059 or Sky Lake Animal Hospital 305-931-2113.

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