An Ozona, Florida man has been arrested and charged with multiple counts of animal cruelty after surrendering seven cats to an animal shelter, resulting in the death of six of them. The incident, which has shocked the community, highlights the importance of responsible pet ownership and the consequences of neglecting animals.
The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office revealed that 36-year-old Ian Bender was taken into custody on Wednesday and now faces seven counts of animal cruelty. The disturbing case came to light when Pinellas County Animal Services received a report on March 8 about seven cats being surrendered to the SPCA in Largo.
Tragically, five of the cats were found dead, while two others were in critical condition when they were discovered in a small plastic bin and a suitcase. One of the critically ill cats had to be euthanized due to its poor condition, and the sole surviving cat was found to have a dangerously high internal temperature of 106 degrees. Shockingly, all seven cats were under 18 months old.
An investigation into the incident revealed that the cats were wet and surrounded by urine and feces when they were removed from the bin and suitcase, indicating that they were alive when they were confined in these containers. Further inquiries uncovered that Bender had been entrusted with the care of the cats by a friend who was away on a business trip.
Initially, the cats were reportedly in good health under Bender's care. However, after a week and a half, Bender expressed his frustration with caring for the animals and decided to surrender them. Lacking proper carriers, he placed the cats in the bin and suitcase before dropping them off at the SPCA. The exact duration of time the cats spent in these containers before being surrendered remains unknown.
Following the investigation, Bender voluntarily surrendered himself to the Pinellas County Jail on March 27 and has been formally charged with seven counts of cruelty to animals. This tragic incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of responsible pet ownership and the severe consequences of neglecting the welfare of animals.
