Florida: Claude Cohens, 69, arrested on felony animal cruelty charge after starving his dog. Emaciated horse seen in 2014 photo of his property.

FLORIDA -- On March 15, 2017, deputies with the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office were contacted by Putnam County Animal Control Officers concerning a neglected dog they had discovered at 127 Waldron Road in East Palatka.

Animal Control personnel indicated the neglect was severe and appeared to be criminal in nature.

Deputies initiated a criminal investigation which led to charges of animal cruelty being forwarded to the State Attorney’s Office against 69-year-old Claude Edward Cohens.

A warrant was subsequently issued for Cohen’s arrest.

On Wednesday July 26, 2017 at approximately 3:00 pm Cohens was placed under arrest on the active warrant and transported to the Putnam County Jail where he was booked on one felony count of animal cruelty.

Cohens has since been released on a bond of $1,000.

The dog in question was taken by Animal Control, treated and cared for and has since been adopted.

WAS CLAUDE COHENS LIVING AT THIS SAME ADDRESS IN 2014 AND STARVING THIS HORSE?

This emaciated horse appears in the Google Maps photos from February 2014. Because the other horse appears to be in decent physical condition in the photo, it's possible this horse is elderly. It may be a horse that they'd just purchased and it was already in this shape. You can't 100% say it's cruelty without knowing more. On the other hand, I don't see any available food in any of the photos you can see and zoom in on from all sorts of angles in the pasture area. Very sad. Hope this horse isn't suffering any more.

(Putnam County Sheriff’s Office - July 27, 2017)