Woman arrested again on animal cruelty charges, official says

TAMPA -- A deputy heard barking from 8202 W Crenshaw St. today. It would have been unremarkable coming from any other home. But this home is where Cynthia Annette Cuervo lives.

Cuervo, 43, (pictured) is the same woman who was charged earlier this year with 20 felony counts of animal cruelty and 20 misdemeanor counts of improper confinement.

The conditions were bad enough for the three cats and 16 dogs deputies found in February that a judge barred her from having dogs again, Hillsborough Animal Services spokeswoman Marti Ryan said.

It was an order officials say Cuervo ignored.

Deputies found 14 dogs inside Cuervo's home this afternoon. They included a Great Dane, a young German shepherd and several other smaller dogs such as chihuahuas and Yorkshire terriers, Ryan said.

"They are very hungry, dirty, smelly," Ryan said. "She claims that she loves them, but if you love them, you don't keep them in this condition, and you don't violate a court order."

The dogs, who Ryan described as "emaciated," are being medically evaluated by veterinarians.

Cuervo, who was in the process of being booked into Orient Road Jail, is being charged with 13 misdemeanor counts of improper confinement and five felony counts of cruelty toward animals, Ryan said.

Rebecca Catalanello, Times staff writer

Photo courtesy the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office

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