Crime & Safety
45 Animals Removed From Home Off Curlew Rd.
Officials discovered the animals at a home off Curlew Rd. Thursday. The animals confiscated included a caged alligator, birds, a pig and tortoises that were in the swimming pool.
Authorities say 45 animals removed from a home off Curlew Rd. Thursday were being used for food.
Police and code enforcement officials showed up at the residence in the 2600 block of Brewton Court in Clearwater shortly after 9 a.m. following a complaint.
City of Clearwater Spokeswoman Elizabeth Watts released a list of the animals that were found-
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- 22 birds (chickens, roosters, pheasant)
- 1 Pig
- 1 Alligator
- 21 Turtles (various types including soft shell turtles and snapping turtles)
Watts says the animals were not in good health and the animals' housing conditions were poor.
Clearwater Police had to call in the Humane Society of Pinellas and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to help with the removal of the animals and were still trying to capture some of them Thursday afternoon, police said in a media release.
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The homeowners, 47-year-old Victor Vu and 43-year-old Julie Vu, face Clearwater ordinance violations and a misdemeanor charge for the alligator, said Watts.
Charges will be referred to the State Attorney's Office for one or both of the residents, Watts said.
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