When a man was attacked leaving a friends home on 8/8/2020 Hernando County Sheriff’s Deputies, Animal Enforcement Officers (AEO), and Hernando County Fire and Emergency Services (HCFES) were dispatched to 5370 California Street in Brooksville regarding a dog attack.
First Responders arrived to find the male victim suffering from severe injuries (dog bites) to his right leg. He was treated on scene by HCFES then transported to a local hospital.
AEO were able to catch two of the male dogs who were running loose and aggressive. One of the male dogs ran away and was unable to be caught. A female dog was then found in a trailer on the property and was impounded
During the impound process puppies were found in the trailer. The female was emaciated, and all the puppies were warm to the touch, panting profusely, wet with sweat, and whimpering. The temperature inside the trail measure 108 degrees. One of the AEO’s became ill with heat exhaustion. and was transported to a local hospital.
Additionally, AEO’s noted there was no food or water in the travel trailer for the dogs/puppies. The following day an additional puppy was found in the trailer upon information obtained from the owner Colleen Meyer.
Meyer was issued citations for Animal Bite, Mistreatment, and Unrestrained Animal. Charges are pending for Animal Cruelty.
The following animals were seized from the property:
– Adult Female – Pit/Mix – Red
– Adult Male – Pit/Mix – Black & White
– Adult Male – Pit/Mix – Black & White
– Puppy Female – Pit/Mix – Blue/White Nose
– Puppy Female – Pit/Mix – Blue/White Chest
– Puppy Female – Pit/Mix – Blue/White Chest
– Puppy Female – Pit/Mix – Black
– Puppy Male – Pit/Mix – Blue
– Puppy Male – Pit/Mix – Tan/Black Face
– Puppy Male – Pit/Mix – Blue
– Puppy Male – Pit/Mix – Black
On 08-12-20, Deputy William Harsanyi drafted a warrant for the arrest of Colleen Meyer for nine counts of animal cruelty. During a traffic stop later that day Meyer was arrested and transported to the Hernando County Detention center and charged as follows:
– Animal Cruelty (9 counts)
– Bond – $4,500 (per the bond schedule).
During the traffic stop Meyer was traveling with an adult male pit/mix. The deputy realized that this was the remaining dog that was not accounted for during the original investigation. AEO took possession of the dog and it was transported to Hernando County Animal Services for quarantine purposes.
On 08-21-20, a Fitness Petition hearing was held before the Honorable Judge K. Hitzemann. The owner of the dogs, Colleen Meyer, opted to not be present for the hearing.
During the hearing, Judge Hitzemann issued an Injunction against Colleen Meyer never again owning any type of animal in Hernando County.
Additionally, all of Meyer’s dogs and puppies, currently at Hernando County Animal Services, were relinquished to Hernando County.
Court matters involving Meyer’s civil and criminal charges are still pending.
