A Palm City woman is in custody on a $270,000 bond after authorities discovered 36 Border Collies living in severe neglect inside her home on Alligator Street, leading to 72 charges of animal cruelty. Martin County Sheriff John Budensiek said the animals were in deplorable conditions. All 36 dogs are now being cared for at the Humane Society of the Treasure Coast.
Sarah Fisher, a spokesperson for the organization, described the severity of the animals' condition. The shelter found not only matted and underweight dogs with skin issues, but also glass and metal embedded in their fur. The dogs' tongues were bleeding from them biting their tongues, there was feces in their mouths, and their tails might be falling off, Fisher said. The shaving process can take an hour per dog, and as staff members cut and shave, they are finding lots of pieces of rusted metal, sharp metal, and shards of glass stuck in the dogs' fur.
Fisher said some of the dogs are just laying there and don't know what to do. They don't know to lift their head and don't know how to interact with people, showing they were institutionalized. The case dates back to 2020, when animal services first investigated Paige O'Donnell's home and dogs.
Court records show complaints continued through 2022 and 2023, with renewed concerns in 2026 leading to surveillance and multiple attempted inspections. The Humane Society said it could take time before the dogs are ready for foster homes or adoption and is asking for community support to help with the recovery efforts.