Oh, I'm sorry. Have I introduced you to this nice couple over here? World, meet Wilmer Fernandez (34)and his wife Aixa Rodriguez (32). They live in Tampa, Florida with several children plus FIVE starving and abused dogs. The news reported that three of the dogs were tied up in the backyard with a leash that was too short to give them any room to exercise their muscles while two of the five dogs, boxer and dachshund, hadn't seen a veterinarian at all. One of the five was near death. A dog named Casper, according to the officers, was so sick that they could not tell what breed he was. All dogs were found to be hungry and thirsty. 
If on November 30, an investigator didn't coincidentally see an emaciated dog in the backyard of 12315 Cambridge Ave., where Fernandez and Rodriguez live, these dogs would have died a very cruel death. When questioned, the couple argued that they did not have the money to properly care for the dogs. Well, yeah, how could they afford vet care when fine furnishings were found at their home including a Lexus and a Cadillac in their driveway? What a way to live, pity on them, much more now that these pillars of society have been released on $6,500 bail, each. Spend money on dogs they chose to keep? What an odd idea. They require food and water? This all must be a misunderstanding, officer.As if to prove that there is a correlation between human and animal violence, the couple was arrested last Summer for domestic violence. Hey, gotto give them credit for consistency.
Wilmer Fernandez and Aixa Rodriguez were charged with two felony counts of animal cruelty, two misdemeanor counts of animal cruelty and three misdemeanor counts of confinement of animals without food or water. In the meantime, they will be using up precious oxygen that we have to share with them.
About Casper, the dog:
http://www.myfoxtampabay.com/myfox/pages/Home/Detail?contentId=8004071&version=3&locale=EN-US&layoutCode=TSTY&pageId=1.1.1
http://www.myfoxtampabay.com/myfox/MyFox/pages/sidebar_video.jsp?contentId=8012859&version=1&locale=EN-US
http://www.myfoxtampabay.com/dpp/news/local/hillsborough/020609_CoupleBanned
UPDATE : Wilmer and Aixa Rodriguez were found guilt of felony animal cruelty on August 14, 2009 in Tampa, Florida. Two veterinary doctors testified that Casper weighed only 32 pounds when the normal weight should be between 45 and 60 pounds. The defendants' argued that Casper's weight dropped on its own, and that Casper was like their own child. The Rodriguezes could face up to five years in prison come sentencing time.
Comments
As I understand it, you are saying that it's all a mistake. Well, you can't accidentally starve a dog. Starvation occurs over a period of time, as in the case of Casper. The house was actively occupied with the dogs visible from their dining room. Sometimes, animal cruelty occurs out of spontaneous anger, but that is not the case here. This is cruelty through neglect, across a period of time.
Farm experience does not necessarily mean the person has compassion for animals. In fact, there is a lot of cruelty in the farms especially in factory farming. Not everybody in the farm business is compassionate to animals. I don't know if Aixa was compassionate to the farm animals or not. I am saying that farm experience should not be equated with being an animal lover.
They will have their day in court. They will have a chance to prove their innocence.
May they, and their neighbors who did nothing, and are just as guilty all get the pleasure of experiencing life at the end of a chain and starvation.
hell is too good for them.
god bless the judge. i hope the jury is even tougher.
THANKS
Yes, you have sent in many comments, and I found them to be repetitive of your first comment on this post. You've had your say; repeating the same points does not make them stronger nor any more relevant. I suggest you contact Aixa's lawyer and offer your testimony for use in their defense.
the poor dog was about to DIE. how long does it take to make a phone call to an animal shelter? nice try, but facts speak for them selves. Imagine what Casper's brother has to say about this all this...
When people cause harm, they righteously defend the reasons. THERE ARE NO REASONS FOR ABUSE.
AS FOR ALEXI BROTHER. GLAD YOU LEFT THE FARM SO THAT THOSE ANIMALS HAD A CHANCE. OR WERE THEY LEFT THERE CHAINED?
To Aixa's brother, it's nice of you to defend your sister, that's what blood does but heres a question for you,
Why the hell didn't you step in a help the dogs? After all "WE CRY WHEN SOMETHING HAPPEN TO ANY OF THEM BECAUSE THEY WERE LIKE FAMILY MEMBER" Your words not mine.
Thank you for commenting. You seem to be the kind of person who makes this world a better place, and you shouldn't be anonymous.
Well, we don't know for sure if the dog was put down. I volunteer at an animal shelter and we take in whatever the animal control officer brings. I don't know the set up down there, and I can only hope that AC does not euthanize dogs quickly. I sure hope that dog was given a chance at adoption since it wants to live, evinced by its digging underneath the doghouse.
Ted
Kelly E.