Animal Cruelty Task Force

January 8, 2020, a caller reported an incident of aggravated animal abuse. Upon arrival, deputies discovered a deceased K-9 along with K-9 Hope. Hope was brought to the Gulf Coast Humane Society for rehabilitation after sustaining the injuries to her leg. After exhausting all other efforts, the determination was made to amputate Hope’s right front leg. The day after her leg was amputated, she was happy, wagging her tail, and acted as if an enormous weight was off her shoulders. Her loving and playful personality won Lieutenant Castellon and Deputy Chance over almost immediately, and Sheriff Carmine Marceno deputized her as Sergeant Hope. On March 31, 2022, Sheriff Marceno promoted Sergeant Hope to Lieutenant. Lieutenant Hope was adopted by Lieutenant Castellon and her new brother Deputy Chance

Chance was a victim of animal abuse in Lee County, Florida. The Lee County Sheriff’s Office investigated the animal cruelty case and use forensics evidence to identify a suspect and subsequently get a conviction. Chance was adopted by Lieutenant Castellon in 2019 and deputized by Sheriff Carmine Marceno. Deputy Chance was also titled as the Good Will Ambassador by County Commissioners. He regularly visits schools, children hospitals, and community events. He promotes goodwill and has become an advocate against animal cruelty and helps promote adoption of shelter pets.

April 14th, 2021, deputies responded to a citizen complaint of a puppy inside a vehicle in distress, halfway hanging out of a window, with its mouth taped shut. While on the scene, deputies located the puppy and another dog inside a vehicle in the parking lot of Walmart on S. Tamiami Trail in Estero, Florida. Deputies further discovered the suspects had tapped along with tightly wrapping a training lead around the puppy’s snout. Both K-9’s were also left alone without access to food or water. We are pleased to report that both K-9’s have been adopted by the Lee County Sheriff’s Office and are Ambassadors of our Cell Dog program, a collaborative effort with local animal shelters to help train and find homes for unwanted rescues.

April 14th, 2021, deputies responded to a citizen complaint of a puppy inside a vehicle in distress, halfway hanging out of a window, with its mouth taped shut. While on the scene, deputies located the puppy and another dog inside a vehicle in the parking lot of Walmart on S. Tamiami Trail in Estero, Florida. Deputies further discovered the suspects had tapped along with tightly wrapping a training lead around the puppy’s snout. Both K-9’s were also left alone without access to food or water. We are pleased to report that both K-9’s have been adopted by the Lee County Sheriff’s Office and are Ambassadors of our Cell Dog program, a collaborative effort with local animal shelters to help train and find homes for unwanted rescues.

On November 25, 2019, deputies responded to a citizen complaint of an individual throwing a knotted pillowcase out of a moving car that contained a cat in the middle of Petite Avenue in Lehigh Acres. Luckily, deputies arrived on the scene, rescued the cat, and brought it to LCDAS.