WINTER HAVEN, FL — A dead donkey, multiple dead cats and several severely ill cats were found at a Winter Haven property, leading to the arrest of a 59-year-old woman on multiple animal cruelty and environmental charges, according to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office.
Melissa McKinney, of Logan Lane, was arrested Thursday, Oct. 1, following an investigation by PCSO’s Animal Cruelty Investigations Unit and Environmental Crimes detectives.
The investigation began earlier in the week when Polk County Animal Control and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection responded to reports of diseased and deceased animals and a possible chemical leak. DEP contacted PCSO after arriving at the property and observing dead animals.
Detectives said they found a dead donkey lying in the yard with signs in the dirt indicating the animal had been thrashing. McKinney allegedly told investigators the donkey had been unable to get up since the weekend. When asked if she had contacted a veterinarian, she allegedly replied, “I haven’t had time.”
Investigators also found four dead cats in the yard and several others in extremely poor condition. McKinney allegedly told detectives another 10 to 15 dead cats were inside a dumpster on the property.
DEP tested the air and water but found no evidence of a harmful gas leak or anything matching the reported chemical concerns.
Detectives also reported finding stagnant water, piles of solid waste, construction materials, vehicle parts, tires, household trash and large amounts of animal fecal matter throughout the property.
After serving a search warrant, authorities removed two dogs and a pony in fair condition, along with five cats in extremely poor condition. The five cats later died. Four deceased cats and the dead donkey were also removed.
Necropsies will be conducted to determine the animals’ causes of death. PCSO said additional charges are pending the results.
McKinney was charged with three counts of felony animal cruelty, two counts of creating or maintaining a nuisance injurious to health, three counts of operating an unpermitted solid waste site and two counts of unauthorized possession of dairy cases.
“These poor animals likely could have been saved had this suspect only called someone for help,” Sheriff Grady Judd said. “Hopefully the living animals we seized can be rehabilitated and eventually adopted out to loving families.”
