25 December 2023 , 21:09
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A schoolteacher from Tampa was arrested after a police raid on her mobile home revealed it was stuffed to the brim with cats, dogs, chickens, ducks, and even a peacock.
Lisa Lacharite, 48, came under the radar of Polk County Sheriff's Office after a tip-off from animal charity SPCA.
SPCA spokesperson Randa Richter said: "She made a comment that the ones still at her property are in way worse condition, which clearly made us realize we need to get animal control involved and do a welfare check on the existing animals on the property."
Lacharite, who teaches second grade, had sought help for some of her cats in early December, but they were extremely thin and unwell.
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A well-meaning teacher had over 300 animals in her mobile home (Polk County Sheriff's Office)
The teacher was slapped with five counts of animal abuse (Polk County Sheriff's Office)When officials checked her home, they found over 300 animals - including cats, dogs, and birds - all squeezed into her double-wide mobile home. Of the 309 total animals, 142 were cats. About 100 chickens were on the property.
Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said: "I think her intent was not evil, but she was clearly overwhelmed, and she didn't cooperate with SPCA, who offered to take them off of her hands. She asked for food, but she would not cooperate with them."
No dead animals were found on the property, though it's uncertain if all the rescued animals will survive, according to WSVN. The animals are now being cared for at Polk County Animal Control and may be put up for adoption in the future.
Officials packed all the animals away and sent them to a facility where they'll receive medical treatment and be put up for adoption (Polk County Sheriff's Office)Sheriff Judd added: "She clearly violated the law. She continued to violate the law." Lacharite was slapped with five counts of felony animal cruelty and a whopping 304 counts of animal neglect.
The Polk Country Animal Control department released a statement: "[We] will work with the general public, the SPCA, and animal rescue organizations to find forever homes for animals."
"Polk County Animal Control is asking the public who are interested in adopting the animals (cats, dogs) to stop by Animal Control today (Friday) or tomorrow (Saturday) at 7115 De Castro Rd, Winter Haven, FL."
The SPCA was worried after the teacher made some off-hand comments, and an investigation revealed that she had 309 animals on her property (Polk County Sheriff's Office)"People can also email [email protected] and provide your name, address, email, and telephone number and how you would like to help," explained the department.
Police officers were pictured on Facebook throughout the home wearing hazard masks, which is common when investigating an animal hoarder situation, as copious amounts of animal waste is toxic.
Officials then loaded the animals into crates carefully, with several vans pulling up to accept the numerous cages.