TAVARES, Fla. – A Lake County woman was arrested after Lake County detectives found 31 emaciated cows on a property in Tavares.
Lori Ann Gonzalez was arrested on Wednesday on 31 counts of animal cruelty and has posted bond.
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An animal cruelty investigator went out to the property on Atlantis Road back in April for a welfare check on the cattle.
According to a probable cause affidavit, 31 zebu-style cattle were found in “extremely poor body condition, with prominent ribs, spine, and pelvic bones clearly visible, consistent with severe emaciation.”
The affidavit also says the cows were in a pasture with little to no grass available, just remnants with hay that had been trampled into the ground, and the cows were not seen chewing cud, something they should be constantly doing as part of the digestive process.
The cows were taken into custody and evaluated. Most of the cows had a body condition score that indicated severe emaciation, with no measurable fat reserves. Tests also showed the presence of gastrointestinal parasites.
According to the sheriff’s office, all of the cattle have since been adopted by cattlemen.