Polk County Sheriff’s Agricultural Crimes deputies charged a Polk County woman with 24 counts of misdemeanor animal cruelty on Tuesday, June 23, 2009, after their investigation revealed that she has not been properly feeding and caring for dogs that she has been profiting from by leasing to businesses in and around Polk County as guard dogs. 

Kathy Browning, DOB 12/26/70, whose address is being withheld because she is also a victim of domestic violence as part of this investigation, runs a business out of her home in Winter Haven where she leases dogs such as German Shepherds, Rottweilers, Bulldogs, and Belgian Malinois, to businesses [such as tow yards] to use as guard dogs. PCSO Animal Control has responded to Mrs. Browning’s home numerous times in the past due to anonymous complaints that she is not properly caring for the dogs.  

On Tuesday, June 23, 2009, PCSO Animal Control Officers again responded to her home as a result of an anonymous complaint and noticed a significant decline in the care for the dogs. All of the dogs showed various forms of neglect, such as malnourishment, improper confinement, and poor grooming. Mrs. Browning admitted to the animal control officers that she has recently suffered from financial difficulties and personal issues in her life which have prevented her from properly caring for the animals, and was also recently the victim of domestic violence. PCSO deputies were called to the scene and arrested Paul Browning, DOB  9/5/72, for Battery Domestic Violence. Kathy Browning signed over custody of the 24 dogs (21 adults and 3 puppies) to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office on-scene. 

The dogs were transported to PCSO Animal Control on Wednesday, June 24, 2009, were examined and treated by the PCSO Animal Control veterinarian, Dr. Ertel, who will compile a complete medical history for each dog. Once the animals are deemed healthy enough to be adopted out to the public, another news release will be sent out and the public will be made aware that the dogs are ready for adoption.

The breeds of the dogs are as follows: 

14 German Shepherds

4 Belgian Malinois (1 adult and 3 puppies)

2 Dobermans

2 American Bulldogs

1 Rottweiler

1 Great Dane