OVIEDO, Fla. – Police visited an apparent vacant home in Oviedo twice over the weekend, taping a letter on the door: “Three days notice to pay rent or deliver possession.”
The notice from Progress Residential, dated 5/22/25, advised Erik and Jessica Sanchez that they are “indebted to us in the sum of $779.30 for rent and use” of the home on Corkwood Drive.
“We demand payment of said rent for the total amount due or that you surrender possession of said premises within 3 days,” the notice read.
Inside the premises appeared to be a dog.
Seminole County Animal Services officers entered the home on Sunday and carried inside bowls of dog food and water.
Sunday, Animal Services left their own notice on the door: “Information was received concerning the animal(s) here possibly being abandoned. If you are caring for the animal(s), please contact our office immediately... failure to contact our office will result in your animal/animals being impounded by our agency and appropriate legal action being taken.”
Neighbors were extremely concerned for the well-being of the animal inside the house.
Neighbor Nancy Marzolino called police after hearing Mia, a older terrier, barking inside the house. Marzolino said the owner has been gone since before Memorial Day.
“I think they left the dog,” Marzolino said. “I mean, it’s obvious to me they left the dog whether or not they’re coming back. They left the dog. And you don’t leave a dog alone in a house. I don’t care that the dog’s got food or water. What happens if the AC goes out?”
Seminole County spokesperson Andrea Wontor said Animal Services officers have become Mia’s dog sitters effectively over the last several days, bringing fresh food and water into the home with the owner’s permission.
But because the first call to Animal Services wasn’t until Saturday night and because officers didn’t visit the home until Sunday, they must wait until Tuesday before they take action.
Wontor said Animal Services’ policy is to give owners 48 hours notice - which officers did with notices taped to the front door of the home - before removing an apparently abandoned or neglected animal.
The latest notice from Animal Services left Monday morning notes the “owner stated he is still in Mexico and no one is caring for Mia.”
“Then why haven’t they taken the dog?” Marzolino said. “[I’m feeling] like I’m going to cry. Like I’m going to cry. There’s a dog in there by himself. And it just makes me sick. It just makes me sick. And a little dog left like that with nobody around. It’s a sin.”
Oviedo Police Lt. Adam Egert said the dog appeared to be OK.
“From what I can tell, the canine is fine and has sufficient food and water until the owner gets home,” Egert said.
Officials told News 6 that the owners returned for the dog on Tuesday, but Seminole County Animal Services is issuing a citation for $50, per county code 20.16.