A 45-year-old woman was arrested Wednesday night in Citrus County on animal cruelty charges. 

  • Blind, matted dog found wandering in road; owner arrested
  • Joi Richheimer charged with animal cruelty
  • Dogs found blind, matted, underweight, paralyzed 

Joi Richheimer, 45, is charged with two counts of felony animal cruelty. 

Animal Control Officers seized three dogs on Sunday, two of which were in very horrific conditions, officials said.

Officers were called out to the area of West. Gen Chennault Lane in Crystal River after a good Samaritan found a 9lb Shih Tzu wandering in the road. 

They said the dog was totally blind and its body was matted with dreadlocks that were caked and encrusted with feces and urine. The dreadlocks were hanging from 95% of the dog's body, which was severely underweight. 

Animal Control Officers went around the neighborhood looking for the dog's owner. A neighbor recognized the dog and directed the officers to her home, where they found two more dogs in the back yard. 

One of the dogs in the back yard was paralyzed in her back end and was unable to stand or walk. The dog was also badly matted and blind. 

The third dog only showed minor signs of neglect, but ACOs later learned that the third dog had not been at the home as long as the other two. 

Officers said the owners were not home at the time.

The first two dogs are currently being treated for their conditions at a Veterinary Office.

The vet said the dreadlocks from the Shih Tzu, when shaved off, weighed 3 lbs. They also found maggots living under the matted fur and even had to dig a piece of 5" wire out of one of the dreadlocks. 

Officials said the dogs are in good hands now.