17 dogs rescued from hot trailer outside Ormond Beach hotel; owner charged with animal cruelty
The Brief
Seventeen dogs were rescued from a sweltering, caged trailer outside an Ormond Beach hotel, with police reviving two limp puppies on the scene.
Their owner, Neddrick Thomas, faces 17 felony animal cruelty charges as the Halifax Humane Society provides ongoing care.
The courts will determine whether the shelter gains permanent custody of the animals.
ORMOND BEACH, Fla. - Seventeen dogs, including ten six-week-old puppies, were found caged inside a small trailer in the parking lot of an Ormond Beach hotel on Feb. 3, according to the Ormond Beach Police Department.
What we know
The Ormond Beach Police Department discovered the animals in distress, severely malnourished and thirsty, with no food or water, and firefighters helped transport them to the Halifax Humane Society for emergency care.
Officers reported soiled newspapers lining the bottom of the cages as Ormond Beach Firefighters grabbed the pups and headed to Halifax Humane Society. They had to revive at least two limp puppies on the scene.
The temperature inside the trailer was recorded at 98 degrees, authorities said. Animal neglect and abuse cases are not uncommon in Florida, particularly in extreme weather conditions. With temperatures inside the trailer soaring and no ventilation, the dogs faced life-threatening conditions.
The owner, 36-year-old Neddrick Thomas, has been charged with 17 counts of felony animal cruelty.
The Halifax Humane Society, which frequently handles cases of abuse and neglect, is providing ongoing medical care for the dogs.
What we don't know
Authorities have not confirmed how long the dogs were in the trailer, though hotel employees estimated about a week. It is unclear whether Thomas had any prior animal cruelty charges or if others were involved in the neglect. The courts will also determine whether Halifax Humane Society will gain permanent custody of the rescued dogs.
What they're saying
Halifax Humane Society CEO Sean Hawkins expressed frustration over the cruelty of the situation.
"Your faith in humanity is questioned daily," Hawkins said.
He also emphasized the dire conditions the dogs faced inside the trailer.
"In an environment where the air is not moving, they can very quickly suffer from heatstroke and exhaustion. This was a situation that was intentional or was allowed to continue by people, and that's particularly hard."
Hawkins assured the public that the dogs are now receiving the care they need.
"Our veterinarians were with the pets throughout the night. They received exams and any immediate veterinary care. The pets continue to receive care by our medical team here at the shelter."
What's next
While the dogs are now safe, their future remains uncertain as the courts decide who will have custody of them.
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The Source
This story was written based on information shared by the Ormond Beach Police Department and Halifax Humane Society CEO Sean Hawkins.
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