Crime & Safety

Woman Left Dogs For Dead In Backyard Cages During Miami Trip: Lee County Sheriff

A FL woman was arrested after her dogs were found dead from heat stress in crates in her yard while she was on a trip to Miami, LCSO said.

FORT MYERS, FL — A Fort Myers woman was arrested after a months-long investigation for leaving her dogs for dead in her backyard when she took a trip to Miami, the Lee County Sheriff’s Office said.

Deputies responded to a home on Ninth Avenue in the Pine Manor area in March after receiving reports about two dead, decaying dogs in crates. Detectives found empty food and water bowls in the crates.

The dogs, Meme, a 1-year-old French bulldog, and Bubbles, a 6-year-old pit bull mix, died from heat stress, a necropsy showed, the sheriff’s office said.

Find out what's happening in Across Floridafor free with the latest updates from Patch.

The owner, Jamesha Rollins, didn’t arrange for anyone to care for the dogs while she was out of town.

She was charged with two counts of abandonment of animals and two counts of aggravated animal cruelty.

Find out what's happening in Across Floridafor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.