March 28, 2025
On June 5, 2024 Ag Detective Gary Garboski responded to a report of animal neglect to assist the Levy County Animal Services Department. A concerned citizen contacted Animal Services in March of 2024 reporting Pedro Perez (1/31/86) was not caring for multiple dogs on the property where he resided in Morriston. Animal Services made multiple attempts and issued notices to Perez ordering him to comply with statutory requirements to care for the dogs. Perez ignored all orders and the condition of the dogs deteriorated.
Detective Garboski’s investigation led to ten (10) dogs being seized from the property and criminal charges being filed. He wrote in his report, “The def 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 10 counts of animal neglect. He was immediately remanded into the custody of the Levy County Detention Facility upon issuance of the verdict. Perez was sentenced by Levy County Judge Bustamante on March 28, 2025 to 180 days in the Levy County Detention Facility followed by one year of probation and restitution of $32,000.00.
All of the seized dogs were taken to the Levy County Animal Services facility where they received the much needed veterinary treatment they deserved and were ultimately re-homed.