POMPANO BEACH, Fla. — A 38-year-old Pompano Beach woman was arrested earlier this week after deputies said she left a dog alone in an apartment without food or water for nearly two weeks last year.
According to the Broward Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded Jan. 31, 2025, to an apartment after receiving a report of possible animal abuse. Deputies arrived with an animal care specialist from Broward County Animal Care.
The caller told deputies the last time she saw the dog, named Journey, was about three weeks earlier and said the dog “was skinny, but not as skinny as he is now,” the report states.
Authorities said animal control officials later determined the dog was “extremely malnourished,” with a visible and prominent spine, scapulas, scapular spines and hips.
When deputies entered the one-bedroom apartment, they said the floors were covered in dog feces and urine in every room.
Investigators said there were “no personal items or sentimental items” inside that the tenant, Shaundra Ruth Burton, would have returned for.
According to investigators, Burton left the dog in the apartment without food or water for at least 12 days beginning on Jan. 17.
The apartment complex manager told deputies they had left a note for Burton about an eviction and noticed the dog inside the unit alone “due to the dog being confined to the apartment.”
Burton told investigators she had moved into the apartment with the dog and was the only person living there.
Animal care officials said the dog was impounded and placed in a foster home while recovering from its low body condition. The dog reportedly gained 10 pounds as of Feb. 9, and the foster family ultimately adopted it.
Jail records show Burton is facing one count of animal cruelty causing cruel death, pain or suffering. Her bond was set at $10,000, and she was ordered to have no contact with animals.
She was being held at the Broward Main Jail as of Saturday afternoon.
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