Pedro Perez of Morriston, FL found guilty of animal neglect; sentenced to serve 180 days
Photo of dogs in crate and Perez's mugshot courtesy of LCSO.
Levy County Sheriff's Office (LCSO)
A Morriston, Florida man, 39 year-old Pedro Perez, was found guilty of animal neglect charges and sentenced by a Levy County, Florida judge to serve 180 days in jail.
On June 5, 2024, due to a report of animal neglect, Levy County Sheriff's Office Ag Detective Gary Garboski responded to a Morriston, Florida residence to assist the Levy County Animal Services Department in an investigation. In March 2024, a concerned citizen had contacted Animal Services with information that 39 year-old Pedro Perez was not caring for numerous dogs on his property.
Animal Services had made multiple attempts to encourage Perez to care for the dogs, and had also issued several notices to him, ordering him to comply with statutory requirements to care for the dogs. However, Perez ignored the orders, and the condition of the dogs deteriorated.
Detective Garboski’s investigation led to ten dogs being seized from the property and criminal charges being filed against Perez. Detective Garboski wrote in his report, “The def (defendant, Mr. Perez) was given several warnings and ample time to correct the living conditions for these animals and refused, causing their condition to deteriorate to unhealthy, malnourished condition over time...the veterinarians’ assessment, accompanied by time lapse between warnings, and living conditions not improving. With no compliance, and overall inhumane treatment of these animals, the def is charged with animal neglect. No reasonable and prudent person would consider this a sanitary healthy environment for any animal.”
The criminal trial concluded on March 25, 2025, with a Levy County Jury finding Perez guilty on all ten counts of animal neglect. He was immediately remanded into the custody of the Levy County Detention Bureau upon issuance of the verdict.
On March 28, 2025, Perez was sentenced by Levy County Judge Bustamante to serve 180 days in the Levy County Detention Bureau in Bronson, Florida, followed by one year of probation. He was also ordered to pay restitution of $32,000.
The ten seized dogs were taken to the Levy County Animal Services facility where they received their needed veterinary treatment, after which they were re-homed.