James Barfield has been charged with six counts of animal cruelty, according to the Highlands County Sheriff’s Office.
LAKE PLACID, Fla. — A 42-year-old man was put behind bars after Highlands County Sheriff’s Office deputies found six malnourished dogs in a kennel tucked into the backyard of his home.
James Barfield has been charged with six counts of animal cruelty, the agency said in a news release. Members of the sheriff’s office’s Animal Services Unit were reportedly called to his home Monday afternoon after a witness noticed “an extremely emaciated” dog in the area.
Once deputies arrived, they learned the dog belonged to Barfield. Soon after, they found more than a dozen dogs living at the home. While some “appeared to be in good shape,” deputies eventually came across six dogs in a kennel that showed signs of “serious neglect.”
“There was no food or water in the kennels, which had not been cleaned in some time,” deputies stated in the release. The agency added that the dogs were so thin, that their bone structure was visible.
Investigators reportedly learned that the dog seen in the neighborhood that led to the call was nursing four puppies.
All the dogs and puppies from the kennel were seized by Animal Services while the remaining dogs were placed in the care of one of Barfield’s family members at the home, deputies said.
The agency said Animal Services officers will be visiting Barfield’s home regularly in the future to ensure the dogs are properly cared for.
Barfield’s bond was set at $30,000, deputies said.
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