A Broward Sheriff’s Office SWAT team executing a narcotics search warrant at a North Lauderdale home discovered six severely malnourished dogs, leading to the arrests of a man and woman.
According to arrest records, on June 20, law enforcement executed a warrant. Upon entrance, they arrested Tjon Alexis Parks, 37, and Amanda Tinisha Ilar Rogers, 36, both of North Lauderdale, on several felony animal cruelty and drug charges.
Records indicate that following a tip, the SWAT team, assisted by the North Lauderdale Crime Suppression Team, conducted the raid at the pair’s residence near the 7900 block of Northwest Third Street.
During the operation, records show law enforcement found the six dogs in deplorable conditions, described as “extremely malnourished” and covered in “scabs and sores.”
Among the dogs was Cookie, a 5-month-old puppy who is described in the report as “emaciated with bones protruding throughout (her) body,”
According to a report, Cookie was also nearly bald from scabs and sores.
The report notes a history of law enforcement dealing with similar issues at home. Two months prior, an animal control officer documented Cookie’s poor condition, noting a significant decline since then.
Another dog, a husky named Prada, had been in good health during the officer’s last visit but was found “curled up” and underweight, limping in pain.
A pit bull named King had a “large red swollen lump” on his leg and a bite wound on his face. A fourth dog, Sire, had scabs covering his body and was seen biting King during the deputies’ presence, requiring Rogers’ 16-year-old son to intervene.
Two smaller dogs were confined in kennels without food or water on a day with a 94-degree heat index. Deputies observed the dogs drinking stagnant water from the bottoms of their kennels, with all food bowls either empty or overturned.
The reports show that investigators discovered that all six dogs were always kept outside, with minimal shelter, food, or water. Detectives also noted the lack of feces in the yard, suggesting the dogs were severely underfed.
Inside the house, they found an unused large bag of dry kibble. While an officer was on the scene, Cookie entered the house, found an old piece of food in the kitchen, and began eating the scraps, further signaling how desperate the dogs were.
The warrant was the result of a prolonged surveillance effort that included a search of the home’s trash for evidence that confirmed reports of drug dealing.
During the search, deputies discovered several incriminating items, including a black 12-gauge shotgun, a brown bolt-action rifle with no visible make, model, or serial number, suitcases filled with clear plastic bags containing a white crystal-like substance, another bag with a brown powdery substance identified as cocaine, and a bag with seven yellow capsules also containing cocaine.
The report shows deputies also found MDMA and black digital scales.
Parks and Rogers were taken into custody, arrested, and transported to the Broward County Main Jail.
Rogers’ bond was $31,000, while Parks was held without bond due to the severity of his drug charges.
Got News? Send it to Tamarac Talk. Don’t Miss Reading NW Broward County’s #1 News Sites: Margate Talk, Coral Springs Talk, Coconut Creek Talk, and Parkland Talk.