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Citrus County highlights new centrally located animal shelter as staff respond to large neglect case
Summary
Citrus County officials and animal services staff announced progress on a new centrally located animal shelter and described the county’s response to a recent neglect seizure involving more than 40 animals, including 22 horses; staff outlined medical and housing challenges.
Citrus County public‑information hosts and animal services staff on the county’s program said construction is underway on a new centrally located animal shelter in Lacanto and detailed the county’s emergency response to a major neglect case.
Steve Howard, the episode host, said the new facility will give staff, volunteers and partners “the space and tools they need to do their work more safely and efficiently,” calling the day a milestone after years of planning and advocacy.
An animal services official described the recent seizure that brought 22 horses, more than a dozen goats and sheep, roughly 17 dogs, two cats and several birds and turtles into county care. “They arrested the owner on 13 counts of felony animal cruelty,” the official said, and added that additional charges may follow pending diagnostics.
An animal care staff member described the clinical needs for the worst cases: “When horses get in this bad of condition, they’re at high risk for refeeding syndrome if you feed them too quickly,” the staff member said, explaining the horses must be fed back very slowly and monitored for metabolic complications.
Staff also reported widespread pneumonia and parasite burdens among smaller animals and said the number and environmental conditions of the animals have stretched the shelter’s housing capacity. Volunteers and shelter staff have been mobilized to provide daily care while county staff search for temporary off‑site housing for the horses.
County speakers stressed the new shelter is intended to improve long‑term capacity and animal care. The program also noted (without citing a statute by number) that having an animal shelter is required of counties under state law, a legal obligation officials said motivates investment in a modern facility.
The program did not provide a construction timeline beyond a reference to a future grand opening; shelter staff described immediate needs for large‑animal boarding and ongoing veterinary diagnostics and care as priorities.
Next steps described on the program included continued diagnostics for the seized animals, short‑term housing arrangements for large animals and continued coordination with volunteers; officials said criminal charges were in process but did not provide a case number.
