Lee County deputies remove 30 dogs from a North Fort Myers home; a woman faces 31 charges
The Lee County Sheriff's Office says deputies removed 30 living dogs and one dead dog from a North Fort Myers home after responding to a suspected animal-hoarding call. The agency says a woman faces 31 counts involving aggravated animal cruelty and neglect of a disabled adult. The charges are allegations, not a finding of guilt.
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Tyler Watkins and Madison Zaleski at Gulf Coast News reported Tuesday that Lee County deputies removed 30 living dogs and one dead dog from a North Fort Myers home.
The Lee County Sheriff's Office said in a public statement that deputies responded Monday after a report of suspected animal hoarding and a dead dog outside the home. The agency said deputies found the dead dog in a kennel near the garage and called its First Precinct Crime Section, Animal Cruelty Task Force and Lee County Domestic Animal Services.
The sheriff's office said the living dogs were kept in overcrowded kennels, some lacked adequate drinking water and several were underweight or showed signs of untreated injuries. Animal Services helped remove the 30 living dogs and the dead dog, according to the statement.
Detectives also found an adult man with a mental disability living in the home, the agency said. The sheriff's office said a woman was detained and charged with 31 counts involving aggravated animal cruelty and neglect of a disabled adult.
The charges are allegations. They are not a finding of guilt. The accused woman is not named here because this desk did not obtain her response.
The sheriff's office has not said in its public statement whether any of the dogs will become available for adoption. The animal removal and detention were complete.
Where we read it: Tyler Watkins and Madison Zaleski at Gulf Coast News. Read their story.
The document: Lee County Sheriff's Office Facebook statement, post 1597506319082767, October 6, 2026.
