A Central Florida man, Joemanuel Nunez-Suarez, was arrested by the Polk County Sheriff’s Office for felony animal cruelty after deputies found severely neglected horses and other livestock on his Lake Wales property. One horse was found deceased due to neglect, while others were malnourished and living in hazardous conditions, including exposure to toxic substances like a trough filled with antifreeze and gasoline. The investigation also uncovered piles of waste and unsafe living environments for both animals and people on the property. Authorities seized all animals for rehabilitation.

Additional arrests were made for environmental crimes and resisting arrest, involving other individuals connected to the property. Barbara Suarez, who owned one of the horses, was also charged with animal neglect. Sheriff Grady Judd emphasized the importance of the community tip that led to the investigation and vowed to rehabilitate the animals and prevent the suspects from owning animals in the future.