Animals seized from petting zoo

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 after a tipster complained about animals that were possibly malnourished and mistreated.

Daniel Ramirez, 46, Ramirez’s son, 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,” he said.