SARASOTA, Fla. – The owners of a dog training service were arrested after several dogs died while in their care, according to the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office.
Natasha Wilhelm and Sean Hubschmitt have been charged with aggravated animal cruelty.
Mugshots of Natasha Wilhelm and Sean Hubschmitt.
On Oct. 27, deputies responded to a home on Vana Dr. after a neighbor reported an “unbearable” smell coming from the house.
That neighbor told investigators she had not seen anyone at the house since September 25, the day before Hurricane Helene hit, and that she could see “extremely malnourished dogs in cages” through the windows, according to court documents.
“Upon arrival, deputies located four dogs,” Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Evan Keats said. “I believe they were all found within their cages in a malnourished and clearly neglected state inside that residence.”
Two dogs were found dead on the scene: One was “unrecognizingly decomposed,” according to the arrest warrant.
Wilhelm and Hubschmitt’s home where they abused the dogs.
Two others were alive but “extremely emaciated” and later had to be euthanized. Veterinarians concluded two of the dogs died of starvation.
“Deputies did not locate food and water around the cages,” Keats said.
Wilhelm and Hubschmitt told detectives they owned the four dogs in their care at the Vana Dr. home they were leasing.
Additionally, court documents show the pair run a dog training service called K9 Training for Heroes. Hubschmitt is a disabled veteran – according to the arrest warrant – and has service dogs that are “well cared for.”
The pair added that they had to move out of the home “due to issues with the house and finances” several days before Hurricane Helene, so they moved in with family members but “were unable to take all of their dogs to this location,” according to court records.
Wilhelm and Hubschmitt told deputies they were taking turns going over “to check, feed, water, and walk the dogs they left behind.”
However, there may have been some communication issues and physical limitations that caused the dogs not to be checked on as they intended, according to court documents.
Highlights of the charges against Wilhelm and Hubschmitt.
“People don’t typically think that law enforcement involves animals, that the sheriff’s office is responsible for that-they think an outside entity typically takes that up – but the sheriff’s office in Sarasota County is responsible for that. And like I said before, we will bring justice when justice is needed,” Keats said.
FOX 13 News contacted Wilhelm and Hubschmitt, who said they were talking to their attorney before issuing a statement. We will update this story as more information becomes available.
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