OSTEEN, Fla. – An Osteen woman was arrested Monday, October 5th, on 10 animal cruelty charges after authorities found two dogs and eight cats living in conditions that caused responding personnel significant concern, according to the Volusia Sheriff’s Office.
Samantha Nicole Ashby, 34, was taken into custody after Volusia County deputies assisted the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission with a search warrant at a property in the 400 block of Buckshot Avenue.
Deputies arrived at approximately 11:16 a.m. and found two dogs confined in crates inside the residence.
One of the crates contained what deputies described as an excessive amount of feces. Neither dog had access to food or water when authorities arrived.
Investigators also found eight cats inside a room where authorities said the smell of ammonia was so strong that responding personnel began coughing and gagging.
Ashby refused to voluntarily surrender the animals, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
Volusia County Animal Services was called to the property and removed all 10 animals.
Ashby was arrested and transported to the Volusia County Branch Jail on 10 counts of animal cruelty.