Polk County Animal Neglect: Two Men Arrested, Six Dogs Rescued from Deplorable Conditions

Photo provided to iSkyNews.com by Polk County Sheriff's Office (PCSO)

Staff Reporter | iSkyNews.com (ISC News)

Published June 2nd, 2025

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Polk County, FL  – Deputies from the Polk County Sheriff's Office (PCSO) arrested two men on Friday, May 30, 2025, charging them with multiple counts of animal neglect. The arrests came after the discovery of six dogs living in squalid and dangerous conditions inside a residence with no power or ventilation.

Upon arrival at the home, deputies were initially unable to make contact with any residents but could see and hear multiple dogs inside. They found the home without electricity and no open windows, leading to an internal temperature of 107 degrees Fahrenheit.

The dogs were observed to be visibly panting. The interior of the residence was reportedly covered in trash, feces, and urine, with a strong odor detectable from outside. Deputies described one bedroom as being filled with trash and items stacked to the ceiling, making navigation extremely difficult and forcing them to climb over debris and through animal waste. Critically, no food or drinkable water was accessible to the animals.

Photo provided to iSkyNews.com by Polk County Sheriff's Office (PCSO)

PCSO deputies conducted an emergency seizure of the six dogs. Subsequent examination revealed some of the dogs had body temperatures as high as 105 degrees Fahrenheit. Hazardous ammonia levels within the home registered at 25 parts per million (ppm), significantly above the standard 0 ppm for clean air.

During the on-scene investigation, 29-year-old Alan Alderman and 65-year-old Thornton Arnold arrived at the property. They reportedly claimed ownership of only two of the dogs, stating that three others belonged to Alderman’s girlfriend, who is currently incarcerated. They denied any knowledge of the sixth dog. Both men were arrested and booked into the Polk County Jail.

All six dogs were transported to Polk County Animal Control for thorough medical evaluation and treatment.

Alan Alderman and Thornton Arnold each face six counts of animal neglect, a first-degree misdemeanor.

Sheriff Grady Judd commented on the arrests, stating, "We don’t tolerate animal abuse in Polk County. These dogs suffered due to pure neglect and now, their abusers are right where they belong."

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Polk County Animal Neglect: Two Men Arrested, Six Dogs Rescued from Deplorable Conditions

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