Woman Arrested for Animal Neglect

                                                                                                               NEWS RELEASE #: 16-181 - SEPTEMBER 29, 2016

The Sarasota County Sheriff's Office arrested a Lehigh Acres woman on animal cruelty charges after she failed to provide food, water and adequate shelter to her adopted dog, for more than six months.

On September 13, Alexandria Drew, DOB 05/09/96, brought a 10-month-old Border Collie to the sheriff's office Animal Services facility on Bee Ridge Road. When Drew attempted to turn the dog in as a stray, Animal Services personnel checked the dog's registered microchip and found that Drew was the registered owner. Investigation revealed that when Drew adopted "Richter" in March 2016 from the Humane Society of Sarasota County, the growing puppy weighed 25 pounds. When Drew brought Richter to Animal Services six months later the dog weighed 20 pounds. Veterinarians confirmed Richter suffered malnourishment from neglect and lack of food. When questioned, Drew explained that she was too busy working to take care of the dog and couldn't afford the $30 surrender fee at the humane society.

Drew was arrested Wednesday and charged with Cruelty to Animals and Confinement Without Sufficient Food. She was released on the same day on $1,000 bond. Richter remains at the Humane Society of Sarasota County where he is expected to make a full recovery.
Alexandria Drew_09292016