BOYNTON BEACH, Fla. – A Boynton Beach man was arrested on animal cruelty charges Sunday after his pit bull was found to be emaciated and her five puppies were found to be living in deplorable conditions, police said.
According to an arrest report, police went to Deon Blue's home in the 2600 block of Northeast Fourth Court after receiving a tip about the dogs.
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A complaint stated that the adult dog, Lady, was usually loose and foraging for food throughout the neighborhood.
Police said Lady's puppies were confined in a crate that was filthy and soiled. They said a "putrid stench of feces/urine permeated the area" of the carport where the dog's were living and flies were swarming around the crate.
According to the report, Lady was emaciated and her hip, rib and spine bones were visibly protruding.
All of the dogs were taken to Palm Beach County Animal Care and Control to be evaluated and treated.
During the investigation, police also discovered that the home was once owned by Blue's wife, but had been foreclosed in January 2015.
The water service was also disconnected on April 10, 2015, but police said someone "straight-piped" the water into the home, so water usage wasn't detected.