Nearly 200 animals removed from Brooksville home

BROOKSVILLE, Florida -- A Hernando sanctuary has lost nearly 200 animals after a judge determined they were living in squalor.

Carol Mas and husband Estebahn Agustinho were warned about neglect at Our Animal Haus. The Hernando County judge said he saw no malice, but the couple took on more than they could handle. The removal began Friday morning.

Photo Gallery: Animals removed from Brooksville animal sanctuary

Mas, a pop singer in the 1970s, said they were being foreclosed on and just needed a little help. In September, the Huffington Post Web site wrote about her musical past and shelter's financial problems.

Animal services say a long investigation into the care of the animals shows the couple failed to provide proper food and living conditions. The environment they live in reportedly led to the failing health of some of the animals.

An animal services supervisor said he saw evidence of animal hoarding syndrome: the couple kept dead carcasses in a freezer, and inspections found severely malnourished animals, filthy bird and cat cages and untreated disease and injury.

The couple housed about 40 dogs, 80 cats, 60 birds, four horses, one donkey, two ferrets, three rabbits, one prairie dog and seven sugar glider squirrels.

"A number of the cats have upper respiratory conditions -- signs of sneezing and coughing. Dogs with skin conditions and eye issues," says Patrick Pace, Hernando County Animal Services.

Despite a lengthy investigation by Hernando County Animal Services and judge's ruling, the owners dispute the claim.

"They use the euthanasia of a perfectly good elderly horse as a king pin to frame me for some sort of abuse case. My animals are fed," says Mas. She adds the mare named Ginger was 30 years old, not 18 years old as the county claims.

"There was never any issue with any of the animals," says Estebahn Agustinho.

"I think it's a case of being overwhelmed with the number of animals. I don't think their intentions are ill toward the animals, just overwhelmed with the umber of animals and people to care for those animals," says Pace.

Mas says financial trouble and foreclosure of her home hurt her animal rescue.

The judge let the couple keep two birds and two cats, but no dogs. And that will be it for the next three years.

One hound named Red Dog is the first dog to leave. Animal workers say he refused to go back into the house. "They had him confined to a laundry room and a front foyer area. The dog wanted to come with us, so we figure we'd take him now," says Pace. "He's ready to move on."

Mas and Agustinho say it's difficult to see their animals go. What do these animals mean to them? "My whole life I've taken care of them for 13 years," says Agustinho.

"I couldn't be there. I went in the morning, said goodbye. It's horrible it's so unfair," says Mas. She adds, "They mean everything. They're my family, we protected them for a long time."

Animal workers say this is one of the largest and most severe cases of animal neglect they've seen. Pace says, "It's heartbreaking and difficult, but at the end of the day when we get to move in and save some of these animals, it's gratifying enough."

The couple is not facing any criminal charges. They do plan on appealing the judge's decision.

Meanwhile, Animal Services officials say each animal will be evaluated. Some may be put up for adoption and the livestock will be sold at auction in a few weeks.