AUBURNDALE, Fla. – An Auburndale city official was arrested Tuesday and faces felony and misdemeanor charges related to the neglect of his two dogs. Bradford Thomas, 37, the Public Utilities Director for the City of Auburndale, was booked into the Polk County Jail on one count of Animal Cruelty (M1) and one count of Aggravated Animal Cruelty (F3).
The investigation began after the Auburndale Police Department alerted the Polk County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO) to a report of a starving dog in poor condition. A detective from the PCSO’s Animal Cruelty Investigations unit responded to Thomas’s residence on Diamond Ridge Drive in Auburndale on Tuesday afternoon.
Upon arrival, the detective encountered Thomas and his two female dogs: Stella, an approximately 8.5-year-old Great Dane, and Bella, a Terrier mix estimated to be between 18 and 20 years old.
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According to the detective’s report, Stella was found in a severely emaciated state, weighing only 60.8 pounds – roughly half of what a healthy Great Dane of her age should weigh. Her Body Condition Score (BCS) was assessed at a dire 1 out of 9. The detective also noted that Stella had multiple abrasions, scabs, a severe flea infestation, and was suffering from pododermatitis (bumblefoot) on all four paws, causing apparent severe pain. Records indicate Stella had not received any veterinary care since 2020, despite her deteriorating condition.
Bella, the older Terrier mix, was also found to be suffering from severe flea dermatitis on her back, resulting in hair loss. She weighed 10.6 pounds and had a BCS of 2 out of 9, according to the examination by Dr. Kerry Jackson, DVM.
Both dogs were voluntarily surrendered to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office and transported to the PCSO’s Animal Control facility for immediate treatment.
Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd issued a strong statement regarding the arrest: “The dogs and their former owner will be getting the attention they need and deserve. For Bradford Thomas, this behavior is absolutely unacceptable. It is incomprehensible that someone in his capacity as a senior manager in a reputable and responsible local government would do something like this—starving and causing such pain for an innocent animal. We will do everything we can to hold him criminally responsible. We will also do everything we can to get these dogs healthy and thriving. They are off to a good start—we pray it’s not too late and they respond to medical treatment, nourishment, and love.”
Encouragingly, since beginning treatment at Animal Control on Tuesday, Stella has already gained 6.8 pounds with proper feeding and hydration. The Polk County Sheriff’s Office will continue to monitor the dogs’ recovery. The City of Auburndale has not yet released a statement regarding Thomas’s employment status.
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