Palm Coast Woman Charged With Felony Animal Abuse

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Palm Coast, FL - An active felony warrant for three counts of aggravated animal cruelty resulted in the arrest of 25-year-old Rochely Ann Lopez-Colon over the weekend.

Three dogs were left unattended and confined for 16 days trapped on a porch with no food or water at a home located at 18 Richmond Dr. in Palm Coast. Two of the dogs, a shepherd mix and a husky, were emaciated but able to walk with the Animal Control officers. The third dog, a terrier, was in such bad shape that she had to be carried on an emergency animal stretcher. Reports say that there was a large amount of dog feces, consistent with animals confined for long periods of time, and there was no food or water observed for the three confined dogs. “There is no excuse for what happened to these dogs. Sixteen days trapped without food and water on a hot porch during the summer is horrific cruelty,” said Sheriff Rick Staly. “This arrest is another example of agencies working together to fight animal cruelty, which studies often find can be linked to domestic violence situations.”

Lopez-Colon was arrested and booked into the Flagler County Jail on $15,500 bond for the animal cruelty charges as well as possession of a controlled substance (narcotics) and introduction of contraband to an inmate facility.

This case came to FCSO's attention through cooperation with Palm Coast Animal Control, Flagler Animal Hospital, Flagler Humane Society and the Department of Children and Families. FCSO tells us the original tip came from a citizen. Photo below of actual animals found at the home courtesy of FCSO.