Bradenton woman charged with animal cruelty
BRADENTON -- A Bradenton woman is facing charges she tortured her pit bulls when she failed to take them to a veterinarian and instead allowed them to suffer unnecessarily as a result of neglect and injuries.
Linda Siebert, 58, was arrested Monday morning and charged with two counts of third-degree felony animal cruelty.
She was released from the Manatee County jail later that day on bonds totaling $3,000.
The Bradenton Police Department discovered the neglected dogs on Thursday when they responded to a home in the 1200 block of
Seventh Street East looking for a suspect who was wanted on multiple warrants, according to a news release. When they arrived, officers reported finding five pit bulls living in deplorable conditions.
Manatee County Animal Services also responded to the home and cited several violations, the release states.
One black and white pit bull was "suffering from hair loss from the neck down, with scabs, alopecia and open sores over 90 percent of her body." A black pit bull was "suffering from thinning hair, sores on both legs, complete alopecia, excoriations, flea infestation and a hotspot on her cheek that was infected.
"Both pit bulls were seen by a certified veterinarian that stated that both animals are suffering unnecessary pain and suffering due to the lack of veterinary medical attention that was obviously needed," Bradenton police said.
Custody of all five dogs was signed over to Manatee County Animal Services. They will be evaluated, treated and then made available for adoption.
Anyone with any information about this case can call Officer Lixa Moyett at 941-932-9309; or to remain anonymous and be eligible for a cash reward of up to $3,000, call Crime Stoppers (toll free) at 1-866-634-8477 (TIPS); or send an anonymous E-Tip thru the web at manateecrimestoppers.com.
Jessica De Leon, Herald law enforcement reporter, can be reached at 941-745-7049. You can follow her on Twitter @JDeLeon1012.
This story was originally published May 2, 2016 at 11:31 PM with the headline "Bradenton woman charged with animal cruelty ."