LAKELAND, Fla. (AP) -- A Florida veterinarian and her husband have been arrested on felony animal cruelty charges.
Polk County Sheriff's spokeswoman Carrie Hortsman said in a news release that 66-year-old Gail Anne Nichols and 74-year-old Paul Craig Smith investigators followed up on a tip about animals not being properly cared for and arrested the couple Tuesday.
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An arrest report says they failed to provide 28 miniature horses, two full-sized horses, eight dogs and two birds with the basic level of care. Five of the dogs were confined to cages without access to water and the house had a strong odor of ammonia and was infested with rats.
Three of the miniature horses required euthanasia because of their conditions and the others suffer from various medical conditions.
A lawyer wasn't listed on records.
