Bradenton couple accused of starving dogs in animal cruelty case, police say
A Bradenton couple faces felony animal cruelty charges after police say officers found five dogs “malnourished” and “living in deplorable conditions” inside their home.
One of the suspects, 30-year-old Adriana O’Hara, worked as a legal assistant at the local State Attorney’s Office. She was fired following her arrest, State Attorney Ed Brodsky confirmed.
“Her actions were both troubling and disturbing and not in conformity with the high standards we expect of our employees,” Brodsky said. “She is no longer employed with our office.”
Bradenton police said they began investigating O’Hara and her boyfriend, 33-year-old Timothy Miller, after an anonymous caller reported seeing underfed dogs at their house in the 1800 block of 10th Avenue West.
Dogs found starving in Bradenton home, police say
When officers went to check on the animals’ welfare, O’Hara refused to let them inside, according to the police department.
When investigators returned Oct. 14 with a search warrant alongside Manatee County Animal Welfare, they said they removed a Great Dane, a cane corso and three pit bulls that were each confined to a crate without access to food or water.
Police said a veterinarian found all five dogs showed “clear signs of emaciation and chronic malnutrition, consistent with long-term neglect.” Some weighed less than half their expected body weight, according to police.
Investigators said the Great Dane weighed 59 pounds, despite a healthy range of 115 to 140 pounds. The cane corso weighed 52 pounds, well below its 92 to 110-pound range, according to an arrest report.
Police said the examination also found two dogs with open sores from poor bedding and three suffering from refeeding syndrome, a life-threatening condition that occurs when severely malnourished animals are fed too quickly.
Detectives said the dogs’ condition resulted from prolonged deprivation of food, water and basic care.
Bradenton couple faces multiple felonies
O’Hara and Miller each face five counts of aggravated animal cruelty, a third-degree felony.
Law enforcement booked them into the Manatee County Jail on the charges Friday evening. Jail records show they were both released over the weekend after posting $12,500 bond.
In a statement to the Bradenton Herald, Brodsky condemned O’Hara’s alleged actions and said his office moved quickly to address the situation after learning of her arrest. Due to O’Hara’s prior employment, Brodsky said the State Attorney’s Office declared a conflict of interest, and the governor’s office has reassigned the case to the 13th Judicial Circuit in Hillsborough County.
Brodsky said his office assisted with the warrant review and cooperated with Bradenton police during the investigation.
“We are very strong on animal advocacy and the prosecution of animal cruelty,” Brodsky said. “So for me it was both sad and troubling that one of our folks was engaging in a very severe case of aggravated animal cruelty with the treatment of animals in her care.”
O’Hara challenged dog seizure before facing charges
According to Manatee County court records, O’Hara filed a civil petition on Oct. 15 seeking the return of the seized animals.
The petition argued that because no criminal charges had been filed, the dogs should be returned. It cited a state law that allows property to be restored if no prosecution is brought. The case names the Bradenton Police Department and Manatee County Animal Services as defendants and remains open before County Judge Renee Inman.
However, Bradenton police filed felony charges against O’Hara and Miller two days later.
Because charges have officially been filed against the couple, the petition could be dismissed, a source familiar with the matter told the Bradenton Herald.
BPD spokesperson Meredith Censullo declined to comment on O’Hara’s filing.
Dogs being treated, police say
Police said the dogs are now receiving lifesaving medical treatment.
Anyone with information about suspected animal abuse can contact Manatee County Animal Welfare at 941-742-5933 or submit anonymous tips to Crime Stoppers at ManateeCrimeStoppers.com or 866-634-8477.
A new state law signed in May, known as Dexter’s Law, increased penalties for aggravated animal cruelty and created Florida’s first public registry of convicted animal abusers.
