Rescued: 26 dogs and pups found crammed into metal crate on a Florida dirt road (Slideshow)
On April 14, the Humane Society of Vero Beach & Indian River County posted to their Facebook page that they rescued 26 dogs and puppies that were found piled into one small wire crate and abandoned on a dirt road, without food, water or shelter. The animals were lethargic, dehydrated, and terrified when they were found. Fortunately, law enforcement got them to the Humane Society shelter in time to ensure that they received the care they desperately needed.
The Humane Society in conjunction with the Indian River County Sheriff’s Office offered a $1,000 reward that was quickly increased to $4,500 for information leading to the identity of those that abandoned the animals in such a callous and illegal manner.
Deputy Bobby Gage of the Sheriff’s Office Ag/Marine Unit, was tasked with investigating the case after the dogs were collected by Animal Control and turned over to the Humane Society of Vero Beach and Indian River County.
“You always want to solve every case,” Deputy Gage said. But in this case, he had 26 victims, none of which could provide statements.
Just now, the Indian River County Sheriff’s Office reported that an anonymous tip that came into their office resulted in an arrest being made in this case.
The tipster said he/she saw the crate – as shown in the Humane Society’s post seeking tips – at a home in Fort Pierce. Armed with that information, Deputy Gage began running down information and working with the St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office to track down a truck described by the tipster, its owner, and eventually make an arrest.
“The St. Lucie County Ag Unit helped tremendously,” Gage said, particularly Deputy Joe Bell, whose knowledge of the area and contacts were instrumental.
This morning (Monday, April 26,) deputies arrested David Yates, 64, of Bridlewood Way, Fort Pierce, on a warrant issued with 26 counts of animal cruelty.
“That was a heck of a case,” Gage said.
The initial call came in on April 9, when Rat Terrier/Chihuahua-mix pups ranging in age from a few weeks to two years old were found in the overstuffed crate measuring 48 inches long by 24 inches wide by 28 inches tall. On the 15th, the tipster pointed Deputy Gage in the direction of the truck.
On April 16, Gage went to Fort Pierce and, with St. Lucie County’s Deputy Bell’s help, tracked down security footage showing the truck with the crate in the back leaving a home. From there, interviews were conducted with family members of the homeowner and the truck owner.
Despite numerous lies and story-changes, the deputies were able to put together a case against Yates and ultimately have an arrest warrant issued.
Yates will be transferred to the Indian River County Jail after he’s processed through the St. Lucie County Jail. He is being held without bond in St. Lucie County. He will go through a bond hearing process once he arrives in Indian River County.
Gage said Yates could expect more charges to be filed as two of the puppies have since died. The current misdemeanor animal cruelty charges could be upgraded to felonies for those two counts.
Looking back on the case, Gage said he never would have expected to travel to Fort Pierce in connection to this case – not without the help of the tipster.
“When the puzzle pieces start coming together,” he said, “It’s a good feeling.”
(Sources: Humane Society of Vero Beach & Indian River County and Indian River County Sheriff’s Office)
Posted by Richard Webster, Ace News Today / Follow Richard on Facebook and Twitter
