On Wednesday, April 17, 2024, the Animal Cruelty Investigations Unit of the Polk County Sheriff’s Office responded to a complaint at 4328 Hedge Drive North, the residence of Catherine Briley in Lakeland. The complaint pertained to concerns of possible neglect of cats and hoarding.
Upon arrival at the scene, investigators discovered a distressing situation. A total of 27 live cats, along with 1 dog, were found on the premises. Tragically, the investigation also revealed the heartbreaking discovery of 5 deceased animals.
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office takes all reports of animal cruelty seriously and is committed to ensuring the welfare and safety of animals in our community. As such, our Animal Cruelty Investigations Unit is actively working to address this concerning situation.
At this time, the investigation is ongoing, and appropriate actions will be taken to ensure the well-being of the surviving animals and hold those responsible for their neglect accountable under the law.
We urge anyone with information regarding this case or any other instances of animal cruelty to contact the Polk County Sheriff’s Office Animal Control
