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Man Charged After Dead Puppy Found In Car

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FT LAUDERDALE (CBSMiami) — A Tallahassee man was arrested after sheriff's deputies found a dead puppy and four malnourished adult dogs in his rental car at a Dania Beach motel.

On Saturday, January 10th, the sheriff's department sent a deputy to check out a report of animal abuse at the Red Carpet Inn at 2460 N. State Road 84.

The deputy located the rented Ford Focus and tracked down its owner; 38-year old Leslie Meyers.

Meyers reportedly said that he had checked in the previous night and walked and fed the dogs twice. He added that he intended to have them dewormed before they were shipped to the Virgin Islands.

(Source: Broward Sheriff's Office)

Investigators said the dogs and a puppy were caged in small crates in the car.

"The animals were in cages. The cages were then covered by a comforter or blanket," said Sgt. Amee Russo with the Broward Sheriff's Office. "The dogs were in their own urine and feces."

CLICK HERE to watch Ted Scouten's report

A BSO deputy patrolling the inn noticed the dogs in the car.  The puppy was dead on the front seat after being attacked by another dog.

The adult dogs were so undernourished that their ribs, spinal columns and bones were showing through their skin.

"Inside the car there was a bag of food; however, the animals had no access to it.  There were no bowls for food, no bottles of water," said Sgt. Russo. "It appeared they had not eaten."

The dogs were taken to Broward Animal Care & Adoption for care.

Meyers was arrested and charged with eight counts of Unlawful Confinement Abandonment of Animal.

He's accused of locking them in the car, but not neglect

The sheriff's office said he has an extensive criminal history of animal abuse and has served prison time for it.

"This suspect had a warrant out of his arrest for a very similar offense in the northern part of Florida and he has a criminal history for very similar offenses," said Sgt. Russo.

Now the dogs are being nursed back to health at Broward Animal Care and Adoption.  They seem to be doing well – looking for new place to call home.

"Sometimes a dog has head a rough start in life. When they find the perfect home and they find they are loved they are ever so grateful for ever more.  They make the best pets bar none," said Lisa Mendheim with Broward Animal Care & Adoption.

One of the dogs should be ready to adopt by the weekend. Animal Care and Adoption is having a special for 2015 in which you can get a large dog for $20.15. For more information, click here.

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