Charles Sharp - Fort Myers, Florida

Mar 15, 2010 Man sentenced to six months in prison for animal cruelty

One of the worst cases of animal hoarding was resolved in a Lee County courtroom Monday.

On Monday, Charles Sharp was sentenced to six months in prison for four felony charges of animal cruelty.

At Sharp's home, investigators discovered 16 animals that were "deprived of every essential element of life," living in layers of their own feces and urine.

Ria Brown of Lee County Domestic Animal Services says Sharp apologized in court before accepting his six month sentence.

"Jail time is rare. That's why we were very pleased with the outcome of this case," Brown said. "I hope this sends a message to other people. This isn't going to be brushed under the carpet. But you will have to answer for any kind of abuse to animals here."

Once Sharp is released, he will undergo a psychiatric evaluation.

Brown says Sharp's probation limits him from being around animals..." More & Video

Aug 28, 2009: 16 Pets Rescue from Poor Conditions

By Max Turnier

Lee County Deputies and Animal Control Officers took 16 animals that were emaciated and covered in parasites from a home in Fort Myers Shores.

Deputies arrested Charles Sharp for being in possession of animals that were neglected and living in poor conditions.

Sharp lives in the home owned by Robert Tracy.

Tracy was arrested in 2008 on the same charge. Thirty four dogs were taken from the home.

A court order said Tracy could only have 5 pets in the home. Animal control officers say he was bringing the animals in but having Sharp register them under his name.

Sharp faces one felony animal cruelty charge. Tracey is not being charged at this time. Deputies say he is living at a nursing home. he has a trial date coming up in September for his charges from 2008..." More & video

August 27, 2009: Fort Myers man arrested on animal cruelty charges

BY DENNIS CULVER

An east Fort Myers man was arrested Tuesday on charges of animal cruelty after he was allegedly found to be hoarding approximately 15 dogs in his home in poor condition.

Several of the dogs Charles John Sharp, 46, had in his home appeared to investigators to be flea infested, missing hair, emaciated, in distress, in generally poor condition and living in feces, according to a Lee County Sheriff’s Office report.

After Sharp was taken into custody, the animals were removed from the home by Lee County Animal Services..." More

Investigators: Jail time in accused animal hoarder's future

In a special NBC2 investigation, we took you inside the disturbing world of animal hoarding.

Since the story aired Wednesday, we've learned the man investigators say is responsible for the gruesome conditions will serve jail time for animal cruelty.

The unthinkable conditions will send Charles Sharp to jail. Investigators say the animals they pulled from the Fort Myers Shores home in August were emaciated, dirty, and covered in ticks and fleas.

When Lee County Animal Service raided the home, Sharp – who lived there – said he wasn't responsible.

"My roommate lost his foot. He brought in all the dogs," Sharp said.

Adam Leath, with Lee County Animal Services, says that roommate, Bob Tracy, is a known animal hoarder. It was the second time they had confiscated animals from the address.

But when they made this raid, Tracy was hospitalized. Investigators said he had to have his foot amputated after the fifth that the pair was living in infected it.

"You can imagine walking around on that, having an open wound, so it was a sore on his foot that didn't heal," said Leath.

Since the animals were in Sharp's care, he was charged. Now there's a plea agreement on the table, which the State Attorney's Office can't discuss details of.

But Animal Services says it involves jail time and probation. Sharp will also be prohibited him from any contact with animals.

The home has since been condemned..." More & video

Special Report: Animal Hoarders