Naples Woman Arrested After Elderly Dog Found in Devastating Condition
Naples Woman Arrested After Elderly Dog Found in Devastating Condition
​
NAPLES, Fla. — A Naples woman is behind bars after authorities discovered her elderly dog in a state of extreme neglect, suffering from a long list of preventable medical ailments that ultimately led to his death.
According to the Collier County Sheriff’s Office, deputies were alerted after a local veterinarian contacted authorities about the condition of an 11-year-old Pomeranian mix named Gremlin. The vet who examined the dog reported that he was unable to stand or walk on his own and had recently stopped eating — signs of serious and prolonged suffering.
What deputies and animal control officers learned next painted a heartbreaking picture.
Gremlin was found to be battling a series of severe medical issues, all of which could have been prevented or treated with basic grooming and routine veterinary care. Among the conditions detailed by CCSO:
-
Rotted teeth
-
Ulcers in both eyes
-
Ulcers on the bottom of all four paws
-
Severe matting of his fur
-
Overgrown nails
-
Pressure sores on both elbows
-
A skin infection
-
A large mat of fur under his jawline hiding an open, infected wound
Authorities said the prolonged infection led to sepsis, a life-threatening condition. Despite attempts to save him, Gremlin suffered a cardiac event and died under medical care.
Detectives later visited the home of Gremlin’s owner, Yvonne Pepper, 69, where they found troubling living conditions. The sheriff’s office reported the floors were littered with dog feces, the smell of urine was overwhelming, and piles of dog fur had accumulated along a wall — indications, they said, of long-term neglect.
Pepper reportedly told deputies that she was overwhelmed by her personal responsibilities and failed to get Gremlin the care he desperately needed.
She was taken into custody on Tuesday and is now facing a charge of aggravated animal cruelty.
The case has left many in the Naples community heartbroken — a reminder of the silent suffering that neglected animals can endure, and the importance of early intervention when signs of distress appear.
Gremlin, once a small family pet, now stands as another tragic example of the consequences of untreated and prolonged neglect.
​