DANIA BEACH, Fla. – A man faces animal abuse charges after a dead puppy and four malnourished dogs were found inside a rented car in Dania Beach, according to the Broward Sheriff's Office.
The discovery was made early Saturday morning inside a Ford Focus parked at the Red Carpet Inn.
Leslie Meyers, 38, of Tallahassee, told deputies he checked in at the motel Friday night, walking and feeding the dogs twice. Meyers said he planned to have them de-wormed before shipping them to the Virgin Islands.
Meyers told deputies that one of the dogs escaped and killed the puppy.
Deputies said the dogs were enclosed in small crates in the car. The adult dogs appeared to be malnourished with their ribs, spinal columns and bones showing through their skin.
The dogs were taken to Coral Springs Animal Hospital to be treated.
Meyers was arrested and faces eight counts of unlawful confinement of an animal. He was released from jail on $100 bond.
Deputies said he has an extensive criminal history of animal abuse.
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