Five Puppies Drown in Morning Flood
Published June 25th, 2012
By: Yaremi Farinas
Many people in Bradford County didn't need to be told there is an emergency.
Among other buildings, the county animal control facility was flooded, forcing deputies to evacuate more than fifty animals.
"I've never seen it that bad," said Jennifer Coscia.
The Bradford County animal control building is under water.
Jennifer Coscia is with the animal rescue and adoption agency in Jacksonville.
She was on here way to Starke to pick up a dog and her 10 puppies.
When she called animal control,she got some news she didn't expect.
"That's where I heard we lost four of the puppies they had already drowned," said Coscia.
these are the puppies that survived the early morning flood.
yet another puppy didn't make it as well.
Captain Carol Starling with the Bradford County Sheriff Office said deputies checked up on the animals at 10:30 Sunday night.
"Flash flooding that we had early this morning in Bradford county resulted in so much water in the creek behind our animal control," said Starling.
On a regular day Alligator Creek is about 35 to 40 feet away from the building. With over seven inches of rain in the city of Starke, Alligator Creek is now over its banks, forcing these animals to stay at the Bradford County Fairgrounds.
"We will wait until we know that the water has receded completely Bradford County, which will take a while. We have homes and streets that are flooded and all of that water will make it's way into that creek," said Starling.
Starling told us some other rescue groups may come pick up some of the animals.
Many are already in Jacksonville.
"All our foster care families are waiting for whatever I bring back. So we are here to take as many as we can fit in a van," said Coscia.
She ended up rescuing 13 kittens, 6 puppies and two dogs and is bringing them to higher ground.
Captain Starling says the Sheriff's Office already had been working on getting a new animal control building. It's expected to be finished within the next two years.
Reporter:
Yaremi Farinas
