MANATEE COUNTY, Fla. — A 29-year-old former deputy who reportedly fled Florida to avoid facing multiple animal cruelty charges turned himself in to authorities, the Manatee County Sheriff's Office said.
Nicholas Zotto was taken into custody for aggravated animal cruelty and later was released on a $1,500 bond.
Earlier this week, the sheriff's office said they believed Zotto skipped town after deputies tried to arrest him in this latest animal cruelty case.
Zotto was fired from the Hardee County Sheriff's Office on Nov. 1 after "concerning" videos and allegations surfaced regarding Zotto's treatment of animals in his care at his Manatee County-based business, Pawsome Sitters.
The investigation by Manatee County Animal Services and the sheriff's office led the state attorney's office to charge Zotto with animal cruelty. According to the state attorney's office, Zotto is also cited by the Manatee County Animal Services for operating Pawsome Sitters in ways that violated civil ordinances.
Then, on Dec. 19, the Manatee County Sheriff's Office said Zotto faces another animal cruelty charge after taking in other dogs at Pawsome Sitters, the business he was supposed to have shut down.
According to a release, mere weeks after receiving notice to appear in court for his original animal cruelty charge and an order from Manatee County Code Enforcement to shut down Pawsome Sitters, Zotto agreed to board two dogs between Nov. 18-29 in exchange for payment.
However, when the owner came to pick their dogs up, they noticed one of their pups looked sick and was "clearly" experiencing discomfort, the sheriff's office said. A veterinarian found the dog had open sores and was severely dehydrated.
Detectives say their investigation revealed Zotto kept the dog in a confined space and made the dog sit in its filth for an "extended period."
Due to the evidence gathered, detectives said they had enough to arrest Zotto for aggravated animal cruelty. However, despite several attempts to make an arrest, detectives said Zotto "fled" Manatee County and the entire state of Florida and was believed to be in New York.
The sheriff's office said Zotto turned himself in on Dec. 20 and posted bond.