Couple speaks out after 84 dogs seized from home

Husband, wife say they were running rescue center and were dedicated to dogs

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A Westside couple is speaking out after more than 80 dogs were seized from their property earlier this week.

Animal Care and Protective Services took 84 dogs from the Westside property on Commonwealth Avenue on Thursday. The dog owners, Susan and Tim Perot, claimed they were running a rescue center called Dogs Deserve Life.

But now, ACPS officials say those dogs deserve new homes.

ACPS said that the agency seized the dogs after issuing the couple a civil citation for housing animals causing unsanitary conditions.

Officials with the agency said they first visited the property in November when a neighbor complained about there being too many dogs.

They followed up this week and noticed a strong odor of urine and feces from the driveway.

The Perots said they were always very dedicated to the dogs and that they were never in any trouble. Susan Perot said she and her husband moved to the city from Chicago and had been running the shelter on their leased property for the past nine years.

They claimed this situation started as an argument with a neighbor who didn't want to live near a dog rescue.

The Perots decided to voluntarily give up the dogs. They believe it was better than letting the issue turn into a court case in which the dogs would likely be crated for several months.  

As the dogs receive medical care, ACPS is urging the public to help them make space for dogs taken from the property.

With so many animals already in need of adoption at the shelter, they're having trouble making space.

For now, the dogs are being examined for health and behavioral  issues. ACPS shelter manager Jen Walter said some of the dogs came with microchips. Workers are now scanning all of the dogs to determine if they were registered with a previous owner.

ACPS officials said most of the dogs should be ready for adoption by next month's MegaPet Adoption event April 17-19.  


About the Author:

Ashley Harding joined the Channel 4 news team in March 2013. She reports for and anchors The Morning Show.