NORTH LAUDERDALE, FLA. (WSVN) - Officials rescued several dogs and over 20 hedgehogs inside an abandoned grooming business in North Lauderdale.
Broward Sheriff’s Office deputies and Broward Animal Care and Regulation responded to A Canine Design, located along Southwest 81st Street, Wednesday afternoon in reference to an animal neglect case.
“Very bad conditions,” said animal rights activist Daliana Deleon. “Flies, no food, no water.”
Animal Control was able to remove all nine dogs and will return for the hedgehogs later in the day.
Businesses in the area complained to officials about a foul odor coming from the business.
“I have to spray every second,” said barber Jeff Bourdeau. “Every minute, we gotta spray. Some customers come, and they leave.”
According to BSO, an eviction notice dated Oct. 31 and a 24-hour animal removal notice could be seen on the storefront.
A number of animals were inside to fend for themselves, and officials said there was feces all over the floor, garbage, broken ceiling tiles and dry wall with mold on it. BSO also said that there was two buckets of dirty water that had a lot of flies and bugs around it, along with an empty bag of dog food.
“Police officers were describing that they were using masks because the ammonia smell was so bad because of the feces and urine,” Deleon said.
The owner of the barber shop next door recorded cellphone video of a man walking two dogs in the parking lot before going back into the grooming business. “The place is very stank,” Bourdeau said.
BSO said this is not the first time they responded to this business. Owner Johnathan Lee was arrested on drug charges after deputies went to the business to investigate reports of animal neglect.
Activists said they are thankful it wasn’t worse. “All the dogs were alive. They all came out of there and are safe now with Animal Control,” Deleon said.
Deputies said the animals will not be released back into custody of the business owner.
He will be cited for this incident.
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