Naples Woman Faces Felony Charge in โDog’s Neglect Death
COLLIER COUNTY, Fla. โค -โ A 69-year-old Naples woman hasโค been arrestedโข and charged with aggravated โanimal cruelty after her 11-year-old Pomeranian mix died from conditions authorities say stemmed from severe neglect. Yvonne Pepper was taken into custody Tuesday by Collier County deputies.
The โฃexamination began when a โขlocal veterinarian contacted โCollier County animal Control withโข concerns aboutโข the dog, named Gremlin. The vet reportedโฃ Gremlin was unable to walk or โstand and hadโ stopped eating. Examination revealed a multitude of preventable medical issues, including severely rotted โteeth, overgrown nails, extensive โคfur โขmatting, โขulcers โฃin both eyes andโค on all four paw โpads, pressure sores on both elbows,โข a skin infection,โค and anโข infected โขwoundโ under โฃhis jaw.
Veterinarians determined the โprolonged infection led toโค sepsis, and โGremlin ultimately โฃdied after experiencingโ a cardiac event while under medical care.
Detectives visiting Pepper’s home on โTuesday reported finding the residence in a state of disrepair, with dog feces and urine present throughout, andโ a significantโข accumulation of dog fur. pepper reportedly admitted to beingโ overwhelmed and failing to provide Gremlin with necessary veterinary attention, acknowledging he had โbeen in obviousโค decline. โข
Aggravated animal โฃcruelty is a felony in Florida, punishableโข by up to โfiveโค yearsโค inโ prison and โa $10,000 fine. The Collier Countyโฃ sheriff’s Officeโข continues to investigate.
