Bunnell police detained a 21-year-old Palm Coast woman on Sunday after discovering two dead dogs in a storage unit where the animals were allegedly kept in “dangerous conditions.”
According to a police release, an officer was dispatched to a storage facility in the 500 block of East Court Street on Sunday morning after a tenant noticed a “strong, foul odor” coming from one of the units.
The renter informed officers that dog noises were typically heard from inside, but none were heard that morning. The officer also reported noticing ants behind the roll-up door and flies coming in and out of a vent.
According to authorities, the facility owner assisted in contacting the renter, Alexia Veronica Barquet, 21, who arrived at the facility and unlocked the unit. Barquet informed detectives she had two Labrador retrievers inside and agreed to a search, according to investigators.
Officers discovered the floor covered in dog feces, trash, and waste. A portable cooling unit looked to be working but producing no cool air, and officers reported that it felt no cooler than the outdoor temperature, which was around 96 degrees. Investigators also stated that there was no water in the dogs’ plates.
Officers discovered two deceased female black Labrador retrievers, identified as 5-year-old “Ava” and 2-year-old “Karma.” According to police, Karma was found on the floor beside a door, and Ava’s remains were placed in a black plastic bag.
According to the release, Barquet told detectives that she discovered Ava’s body earlier this week, placed her in the bag, and left the remains in the apartment, and that she last checked on Karma on Friday, offering food and water, police said.
Police said that an animal control officer had previously contacted Barquet in March and advised her not to keep animals overnight in the storage facility.
Barquet was detained and charged with two felonies for aggravated animal cruelty and two misdemeanors for confinement or abandonment without proper care, according to authorities. Her bond amount was set at $6,000.
“This is a disgusting case of animal cruelty, and these dogs died in a condition that no animal should ever face,” Bunnell Police Chief David Brannon stated. “Animals rely solely on their owners for food, clean water, safe shelter, exercise, medical care, and protection from harmful situations. “Owning an animal entails a significant responsibility that no one can ignore or disregard when providing care becomes difficult.”
Anyone who encounters an animal in immediate danger should phone 911. Residents can report suspected animal cruelty or neglect to Bunnell Police Department at (386) 437-7508.
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