Florida woman arrested after dog is found with urine trapped in matted fur, barely standing: affidavit
PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. (WFLA) — A Florida woman is facing animal cruelty charges after her dog was found barely standing with urine and faces trapped in its matted fur, an affidavit said.
In December 2024, Charlotte County Animal Control was notified of a dog in poor condition under the care of its owner, 45-year-old Diana Holder.
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An officer said the Yorkie mix, named Odie, had severely matted fur around its entire body, with feces and urine trapped around the back half, and could barely stand.
'I couldn't even tell where the front of the dog was in the back of the dog,' Animal Control Officer Brian Jones told NBC affiliate WBBH.
Odie underwent immediate general anesthesia for an examination and to remove the matted fur, which was found to be several inches in length and width. The report said the dog had infected ears, skin ulcerations and an inability to see, while WBBH said Odie suffered a ruptured eye, very tong toenails, and sores as well.
Animal Control services determined Holder to have abandoned her animal, causing Odie 'needless pain and suffering,' the affidavit said.
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WBBH said the 15-year-old Shitzu Yorkie mix suffered years of torture from Holder by not grooming him. Holder reportedly handed Odie over to a local shelter, telling them she could no longer care for him due to issues with her hand.
'It really should not have went on that long,' Jones added. 'For people who find themselves maybe with financial constraints, physical constraints, you know, there's all sorts of things that you can do.'
Unfortunately, Odie spent his final days in a hospice foster home before he died of age, WBBH reported, as veterinarians claimed the injuries from Holder's abuse were not the cause of death.
The department requested a monetary donation to the Charlotte County Animal Care Trust Fund.
After a warrant was signed last week, Holder was arrested over the weekend at her Port Charlotte home, facing charges of cruelty to animals and confinement or abandonment of an animal. She is being held on a $5,000 bond and cannot be in possession of any animals.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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