Bruce Jay Bottass, 32, allegedly had two dogs that were tied up so tightly the animals couldn’t reach their water or food bowls — containers that were empty anyway.
It’s not clear how long the dogs had been without food and water, but deputies said when they told Bottass to feed what appeared to be lethargic dogs, the suspect had to send someone out to find dog food.
Bottass, of 2234 Rashad Court in Groveland, was charged with two counts of cruelty to animals and released from the Lake County jail on $1,000 bond.
The incident occurred late Sunday.
Details of the verbal altercation weren’t available but Sgt. James Vachon, sheriff’s spokesman, said nothing came out of that call. But while at the home, deputies observed a white pit bull tied to a tree in the front yard with its line so tangled, she could not move more than three feet.
According to an arrest affidavit, deputies said they found another tied-up dog, a Doberman, whose line was so tangled in wooded undergrowth, that it could only stand up and couldn’t reach its water bowl.
According to the affidavit, the Doberman had no food bowl and the outline of its ribs, spine and other bones could be seen. The Doberman also had no shelter.
The deputy initially told Bottass to fix the lines, and feed and water the dogs. But Bottass responded he was sending someone to get dog food. The deputy also noted the dogs didn’t have a normal bark or response to strangers, and just stayed on the ground curled up.
The deputy said he couldn’t confirm the last time the dogs were fed, and arrested Bottass for depriving the dogs of food and shelter.
Lake County Animal Control took the Doberman and gave Bottass special instructions on how to care for the pit bull.
(Daily commercial - Aug 8, 2013)
