SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. — At their meeting Tuesday, the Seminole County Board of Commissioners voted to attempt to take permanent custody of 38 dogs seized from a Midway Kennel Operator.
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40-year-old Brandon Wesley Blake was arrested just before Thanksgiving on multiple charges of animal cruelty after Seminole County deputies say they found the dogs at his home in various states of poor health and living in “deplorable” conditions.
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Four dogs were found dead at the home and a fifth died after being rescued.
As a result of the investigation, Seminole County Animal Services has been in custody of the dogs.
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On Dec. 2, the board filed a petition in county court to obtain permanent legal custody of the dogs. They voted unanimously Tuesday morning to authorize the County Attorney’s Office to pursue that litigation “to its conclusion” in court.
The petition would divest Blake of any ownership rights to the dogs and legally award them to Animal Services, which is a requirement for any of the dogs to be made available for adoption.
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“When the decision is made is when we will decide when we will be able to adopt,” Seminole County Emergency Manager Alan Harris explained. “We won’t be able to adopt all immediately because some will still be in treatment.
Blake is scheduled to be arraigned on his charges on Jan. 17.
See the entire Board of Commissioners discussion below:
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