PUTNAM COUNTY, Fla. – Malcom Alexander Wade, 64, is behind bars Monday after being arrested and charged with cruelty to animals following an extensive investigation by the Putnam County Sheriff's Office and Florida Fish and Wildlife.
Code enforcement originally went to a house on Crocus Lane that was supposed to be condemned on April 7. The code enforcement officer was followed by a fish and game officer because of reports that some alleged environmental crimes were taking place at the home.
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When the officers got to the house, they immediately found two badly emaciated dogs chained up near the front of the home. The officers found two more dogs in crates stacked on top of each other right inside the home and a third crate with the decaying remains of a dog inside.
That's when the officers called sheriff's deputies to come and help investigate the home. After obtaining a warrant, deputies searched the property and found two more decaying dog carcasses near a blue tarp.
The four living dogs were seized by animal control and taken to a local vet for examination and convalescent care.
Due to what the officers found, Wade was arrested and charged with seven counts of cruelty to animals. His bond was set at $175,000.