A woman running a ghastly makeshift animal shelter in her Fort Pierce home was busted yesterday, charged with 16 counts of animal cruelty.
Michele Nunziata is in jail after police, responding to a report of a foul odor, found three dead dogs and a host of other animals malnourished and living in deplorable conditions in her house.
Nunziata, 40, told police she had euthanized the three dogs -- a bull dog, a rottweiler and a mixed-breed -- with the help of her landlord, who she claims provided the syringe, according to the arrest affidavit.
She and the landlord even had a code for when he had placed the syringe in her mailbox: "The snowman has arrived."
Among the animals found, aside from the three dead dogs, were another five dogs, two cockatiels, two ferrets, two rabbits one goose, one chinchilla and a black wolf.
All were malnourished, and the wolf was found lying in feces. Animal Control of St. Lucie County took in all of the animals.
Police were unable to find a syringe, and Nunziata repeatedly changed her story, according to the arrest affidavit. Police said it appeared that she hadn't been in the house for days.
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Nunziata was hit with six felony counts and 10 misdemeanor counts of animal cruelty. More charges may be filed, according to the St. Lucie County Sheriff's Office.
