Urine, feces in home of Pines man arrested on animal abuse charges, cops say
A Pembroke Pines man is behind bars on animal abuse charges after police discovered several of his dogs living in squalid conditions, according to police.
Officers responded to the west Pines home of Jaylen T. Holmes, 24, on Sunday, Feb. 1, after a neighbor contacted the Pembroke Pines Police Department because they spotted “several dogs ... appearing malnourished,” on his front patio, his arrest report shows.
Police say they found three dogs — a 2-year-old French bulldog mix and two 5-month-old pitbull mixes — cramped in a 4-by-5-foot crate.
“The dogs were unable to move due to being in such close proximity to each other and restricted,” Holmes’ report reads. “The bone structure of all three dogs was visibly apparent, including their ribs, spine, and midsection.”
The wind chill caused 40-degree weather to have a “feels like” temperature of 23 degrees, officers added, noting a Broward-issued “freeze watch” slated for Jan. 31 through Feb. 2.
When officers were let into the house by Holmes’ girlfriend, police say they were hit with a “strong odor of ammonia” from piles of urine and feces on the floor and inside a crate, adding that the home was in “extreme disarray and unsanitary condition.”
One officer, the arrest report reads, “had to exit the residence multiple times” due to the smell.
No pet food was found at the house, with police noting overturned food bowls that look unused for a long period of time, and there was no water available for the dogs to drink.
Holmes was arrested shortly after police surveyed his home and transported to Broward Main Jail, where he’s being held with no bond due to a domestic violence charge from January.
He faces 12 charges of animal abuse or neglect, including confining animals without sufficient food or water, keeping animals in enclosure without excercise and air, and tormenting, depriving, mutilating or killing an animal.
Holmes’ three dogs were taken in by PPPD’s Animal Assistance Program — Pooches in Pines — and are receiving medical treatment and care, the department said in a Feb. 2 Instagram post.
“The smallest pup only weighs 4 lbs (half her body weight) and needed immediate fluids. She’s literally “walking bones,” the nonprofit shared on its Instagram post.
Pooches in Pines is now looking to place the pups — Peaches, Sasha and Lana — in foster homes after they receive veterinary care, detailing on the post each dog’s needs for prospective fosters.
- Peaches: Female; Merle French bulldog; 2 years old, 16 pounds; “Sweet as can be, a little timid.”
- Sasha: Female; small mix breed, black and white; 5 months old, 8 pounds; “Happy and playful (does not walk on leash).”
- Lana: Female; small mix breed, black; 5 months old, 4 pounds; “Weak, needs cuddles and round the clock supervision (someone with extra time and experience only).”
“Our department takes crimes against animals very seriously, and will fully investigate any allegations of animal neglect,” PPPD advised on its Instagram post. “It is your responsibility to provide food, adequate shelter, and medical care to your pets. If you cannot take care of your pets for whatever reason, do the right thing and find a safe place for them to be rehomed or fostered.”
