Beverly Hills woman charged with 12 counts of animal cruelty and child neglect
CCSO mugshot of Ms. Morgan.
During the evening hours of Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2022, Citrus County Sheriff's Office (CCSO) deputies responded to a Beverly Hills residence as the result of a complaint of animal cruelty, which resulted in the arrest of 38 year-old Shannon Marie Morgan, who was charged with twelve counts of animal cruelty and one count of child neglect. Her total bond was set at $26,000.
Immediately upon entering the residence, sheriff's office personnel were overwhelmed by the pungent smell of ammonia. They observed several cages and glass aquariums that contained snakes and rodents, but also saw rats and cats running freely within the home.
According to Sydney Hudson, Community Relations Specialist with the CCSO, it was "blatantly obvious" that the animals were deprived of basic necessities, and the build-up of fecal matter and urine in the house and cages had caused an infestation of flies, roaches and other insects. She said that officials were "taken aback by the other deplorable conditions, such as trash, dirty dishes, and rotten food" scattered throughout the residence.
In one of the bedrooms, deputies observed a cage, littered with urine and feces, that contained a ferret, and a cage that was too small for the dog contained inside it. Both animals were deprived of food and water.
In a second bedroom, occupied by a juvenile, the trash was piled up on the floor, the mattress was covered with roaches, and there was blood on the floor caused by the free roaming cats eating a rat, said Hudson.
In the home's third bedroom, deputies found approximately 50 rodents in cages, in addition to the more than 300 rodents roaming freely throughout the home.
CCSO animal control officers removed seven cats, one dog, and one ferret from the home. The house was secured for further investigation and the removal of the other remaining animals.
"Abuse of any kind should not be tolerated," said Citrus County Sheriff Mike Prendergast. "The conditions of this residence and the animals in this case were so bad, sheriff's office personnel were cautioned about making entry. Neither children nor animals should ever endure this type of environment. It is crucial that our citizens report any possible signs of child or animal neglect. Our Animal Control Officers, deputies and crime scene specialists, once again, have done a phenomenal job."
Requests for service should be made to the CCSO Communications Center by calling 352-249-2790 or 9-1-1. Animal Control Officers are available to respond to routine calls for service between 8:00 am and 8:00 pm every day of the week, including holidays. Emergencies are responded to 24/7/365.