Woman charged with 14 counts of animal cruelty

BROOKSVILLE -- A Brooksville woman faces charges of animal cruelty after a weeklong investigation by the Hernando County Sheriff's Office found that she neglected the care of 12 dogs, a cat and a Burmese python.

Debra Ann Harmon, 53, was arrested Thursday evening on 14 counts of cruelty to animals and booked into the Hernando County Jail. She was released Friday morning after posting $1,000 bail.

The animal cruelty investigation started Jan. 31 when a man living at her home, John Stansfield, 46, was arrested on a warrant for theft and dealing in stolen property. Authorities then discovered 22 dogs, three cats and a snake living in her home in what they termed "deplorable" conditions.

Hernando County Animal Services removed all of the animals from the home, took them to a local veterinarian for evaluation and then transported them to the Animal Services office. 

The floors of the home at 24514 Audubon Drive, just east of Brooksville, were soaked in urine and covered in feces, authorities said. Several of the dogs were infested with fleas, had skin problems and overgrown nails, according to the arrest affidavit. The cat reportedly had no right eye, was missing some teeth and was also infested with fleas, and the report said, the snake was kept in a small dog crate that was full of feces and snake skins.

Five puppies living at the home were kept in separate cages and were carefully groomed, according to the report. Harmon told authorities those dogs were for sale.

- Joel Anderson, Times staff writer