A woman was arrested on multiple animal cruelty charges after a pungent odor was detected wafting from her Citrus Hills home, according to the Citrus County Sheriff’s Office. On Wednesday, August 14, 2024, deputies served a search warrant at the residence, where they found 52 live cats and one dead cat.
The suspect, 43-year-old Jennifer Renee Smith, was taken into custody and charged with multiple counts of animal cruelty and one count of animal neglect. The Citrus County Sheriff’s Office received a tip about the pungent odor coming from Smith’s home in the 1300 block of SE 4th Avenue, Citrus Hills, on Tuesday, August 13, 2024, around 3:00 PM. Deputies reported that the conditions inside the home were unsanitary, with inadequate food, water, and shelter for the animals.
The 52 live cats were seized and transported to a local animal shelter for care and evaluation. The Citrus County Animal Shelter is working to find new homes for the cats. Smith is being held at the Citrus County Detention Center on $5,000 bond.
Animal cruelty cases are taken seriously in Citrus County, and residents can report suspected cases to the Citrus County Sheriff’s Office at (352) 749-7111 or the Citrus County Animal Control at (352) 341-1566.
Originally reported by WFLA – Citrus County
Sources: WFLA – Citrus County
