Just two weeks before Christmas, a Lakeland family was forced to euthanize their 10-week-old puppy, named Ozzy, shortly after adopting him from the Polk County Animal Control Shelter in Winter Haven, Florida.
On December 13, Mike Cole and his wife adopted Ozzy during a free adoption event at the Winter Haven shelter. After the puppy’s neutering surgery, Ozzy seemed extremely lethargic; the family brought the puppy to their own veterinarian who later diagnosed the puppy with a severe lung infection.
The hospital costs had been estimated to be between $15,000 and $20,000, and there would still be no guarantee the puppy would survive. The family made the hard decision to euthanize Ozzy.
Sadly, the Coles had to explain to their young child about a puppy dying; who expects an adopted puppy to be so sick he had to be euthanized?
Meanwhile the family had already bonded with the adorable and very affectionate puppy. What a heartbreaking experience for them to have to have gone through.
According to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, who run the shelter, just a few days after the family adopted the puppy, they had noticed the puppy wheezing. Although they were not notified by the family the puppy was ill, the shelter would have taken Ozzy back.
In the past, the Polk County Animal Shelter has been criticized for their care of the animals. In April 2025, Tampa Bay News, reported animal advocates argued that changes were needed at Polk County Animal Control.
Records from the University of Florida’s Department of Veterinary Medicine, showed the county shelter’s “Live Outcome Rate” was 58% in 2024, which meant 42% of animals did not leave the county shelter alive. In 2024, 401 dogs and cats combined, died in the shelter for reasons not related to euthanasia. Records also showed 564 animals escaped from the shelter; most had been cats.
The shelter has defended their position and does not knowingly permit the public to adopt sick animals.
The sheriff’s office spokesperson stated there’s no viral infection outbreak at the shelter.
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