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Zack Keithy, our author, is a certified veterinarian technician (UC Blue Ash) for over 6 years (contact him here). The articles written here are based on his expertise and experience, combined with a review by our expert vet reviewers including Dr M. Tarantino. Learn more about us here.
A 34-year-old Osteen, Florida woman has been arrested on 10 animal cruelty charges after deputies and wildlife officers found two dogs and eight cats living in severe conditions. Samantha Nicole Ashby was booked into the Volusia County Branch Jail on October 5, 2026.
Volusia County Sheriff’s deputies arrived around 11 a.m. to assist Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission officers who were executing a search warrant. Inside, they found two dogs confined to wire crates that were partially covered by household items and blankets.
The dogs appeared to have no food or water available to them. Deputies also discovered eight cats shut inside a separate room.
One crate was missing its plastic floor tray, forcing the dog inside to stand directly on wire flooring with feces molded into it. Investigators also noted black discoloration consistent with mold on the walls behind the crates.
Responding personnel reported an overwhelming ammonia odor that caused coughing and gagging on scene.
Ashby refused to surrender the animals, according to KFOX. Volusia County Animal Services ultimately removed all ten.
Booking records show charges including impounding or confining an animal without sufficient food or water. Bail was set at $500 per charge.
Authorities haven’t released details on the animals’ condition since their removal. They also haven’t said what led officers to seek the search warrant.
Under Florida law, failing to provide sufficient food, water, or shelter is a first-degree misdemeanor. It carries up to a year in jail and a $5,000 fine per count, and prosecutors can file separate counts for each animal.
My thoughts:
The detail that’s hardest to shake is the ammonia. Trained responders were coughing and gagging in that air, and eight cats were shut in a room with it.
That level of buildup doesn’t happen overnight, which says something about how long these animals were living this way. It also raises the question of what prompted the warrant in the first place, since that hasn’t been made public.
Ashby has been charged but not convicted, and the case is still pending. For now, the confirmed part is what investigators say they found and that all ten animals are out of the home.
Source: Hoodline, with additional reporting from KFOX and HomeFetch, based on an arrest report and booking records
