Animals seized from Davie petting zoo; owner jailed

Police seized horses, pigs and other animals from a barn in Davie late Monday and arrested their owner, with a police spokesperson saying the animals were found to be living in “deplorable” conditions.

In recent weeks, detectives have been making unannounced visits to the barn in the 7300 block of Southwest 39th Street and on Monday returned to find no food or water for the creatures, Capt. Dale Engle said.

“By statute, that is a violation,” he said. “The condition of the animals was so deplorable [the investigator] thought it in their best interest to have them removed.”

The animals’ owner, Alvaro Pio Ramirez, 70, was taken into custody while the animals were being removed after he repeatedly confronted volunteers and police, authorities said. The animals are used for entertainment for children’s parties by offering pony rides and a petting zoo.

He was charged with resisting an officer without violence and driving with a suspended license.

Ramirez has not been charged with animal neglect, but Engle said detectives and the Broward State Attorney’s Office are reviewing the case for possible animal-related charges.

According to the police report, Ramirez was given “numerous verbal commands” to stay back while the animals were being fed and prepared for removal. He was given more than eight opportunities to remain in his vehicle or leave, it said.

Still, Ramirez, of Miramar, interfered and refused to cooperate, police said.

Police were assisted by Animal Recovery Mission, an animal advocacy group that investigates allegations of animal neglect and abuse. Richard Couto, the group’s founder, said about 30 animals were seized and taken to a sanctuary run by his group.

Investigators opened the case last month ago after a tipster complained about animals that were possibly malnourished and mistreated.

Daniel Ramirez, 46, Ramirez’s son, said he owns the animals with his father, who has a terminal blood cancer. He acknowledged one of the horses was underweight, but that it was being treated by a veterinarian and had had its diet changed to help it gain weight, he said. He also said a goat that had diabetes died recently.

Daniel Ramirez said they regularly feed their animals, twice daily.

“If anybody loves those animals, it’s my father. My father loves the animals more than people. I will tell you my father loves the animals more than he loves me,” he said. “For the animals, he’ll do anything.

“We’re out of business right now. We’re not looking to purchase any more animals. My animals were taken away, but they were not given away,” Daniel Ramirez said. “They have to hold my animals until we go to court and we fight this.”

Before his arrest, Ramirez told reporters that his animals are not unhealthy and that he is just trying to make a living.

“I’m working mirez said.

He remained Tuesday.

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