Melbourne woman, 75, faces September court hearing on 18 counts of animal cruelty

A 75-year-old woman faces a September hearing after Brevard County sheriff’s investigators said she kept more than a dozen cats, birds and a malnourished 10-year-old dog infested with fleas in deplorable conditions.

Patricia Regan Merrill, of Melbourne, was charged with 18 counts of aggravated animal cruelty and 18 counts of unlawful confinement of animals without sufficient food after Brevard deputies received complaint about "too many cats" at a house on Coventry Road, records show.

Deputies went to Merrill’s home several times but did not see Merrill, but noted the strong odor of cat urine wafting from the home.

Deputies left a door tag and returned later in the week, with Merrill answering at the door, reports show. Deputies described a foul odor and spotted an underweight golden retriever with overgrown nails, protruding ribs and fleas, court records show.

Deputies reported finding trash and piles of feces across the floor in every room, with animals appearing to be forcefully confined.

Merrill, described as dirty and unkempt, was taken into custody after she insisted that she did not need any help and that she just did not have time to clean, records show.

A veterinarian later determined that the dog, named Sunny, likely had only a few weeks to live under the conditions he was found in.

“All were rescued,” Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey said.

Merrill faces a Sept. 17 hearing on the charges, court records show.

J.D. Gallop is a criminal justice/breaking news reporter at FLORIDA TODAY. Contact Gallop at 321-917-4641 or jgallop@floridatoday.com . Twitter: @JDGallop.

This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Melbourne woman, 75, faces September court hearing on 18 counts of animal cruelty