Veterinarian charged with animal cruelty; 38 neglected animals seized from home

A veterinarian is facing charges after officials seized 28 miniature horses, eight dogs and two horses, all neglected, from her home.

Gail Nichols, 66, of Lakeland, and her husband, 74-year-old Paul S. Smith, were charged with three counts of felony animal cruelty, five counts of confinement of animals without sufficient food, water, or shelter and one count of misdemeanor animal cruelty.

The Polk County Sheriff’s Office opened an investigation after receiving a tip about animals not being properly cared for at the vet’s Lakeland home, according to a Facebook post from the sheriff’s office.

A search warrant was served at Nichols’ home on Aug. 17 where deputies found the animals in neglected conditions.

A series of photos posted to Facebook show the home filled with clutter and narrow walking spaces. Dog crates were stacked on top of each other and dead rodents were lying on the floor.

Horses were kept in dirt fields, some without access to hay. Nichols had allowed some to go without hoof care so long the hooves had grown out and curled up.

Three horses were euthanized due to their injuries and lameness.

Five of the eight dogs lived in cages inside the house, which had no air conditioning and was noted by deputies as uninhabitable for humans, with no access to water.

Two parrots were also found on the front porch in filthy cages and were missing feathers on their chests.

The animals found at her home are personally owned by her, and not affiliated with a veterinary practice, according to the sheriff’s office.

"The fact that a practicing, licensed veterinarian caused so much suffering to her own animals is extremely concerning. We hope from this point forward she is not allowed to own, or treat, any more animals," Grady Judd, Polk County Sheriff said.

The animals are being held at sheriff’s office facilities, pending custody hearings. Nichols and Smith are petitioning the court to retain ownership of the animals.

Nichols told deputies she works part-time at Gulfport Veterinary Hospital and Animal Emergency of Pasco.

This story was originally published August 24, 2017 at 7:14 AM with the headline "Veterinarian charged with animal cruelty; 38 neglected animals seized from home."