Arcadia woman sentenced to prison for animal cruelty after dogs found living in terrible conditions

DESOTO COUNTY, Fla. —

An Arcadia woman has been sentenced to two years in prison after pleading no contest and being found guilty of abusing dozens of animals in her care.

Rose Romano, a puppy breeder, was arrested in 2021 when DeSoto County Sheriff's Office deputies discovered animals living in terrible conditions under her care.

According to DCSO, the animals were kept in deplorable conditions. When rescuing the animals, deputies saw no food or water anywhere, and feces and urine everywhere, DCSO said.

Authorities removed 39 dogs, 19 puppies, and 26 other animals from the puppy mill she was operating, DCSO said.

Romano has been credited with 172 days of time served for her two-year sentence. Following her prison sentence, she will be on three years of probation for all aggravated animal cruelty counts, and then serve a consecutive term of five years of probation for the remaining felony counts.

Romano is also not allowed to own, possess or work with animals.

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