An Altamonte Springs woman who hoarded rescue animals then allowed them to starve and die in filth has been sentenced to prison.

TONYA L. GROSE, 38, was arrested in September 2023 after officers from Seminole County Animal Services and the Altamonte Springs Police Department visited her house and found numerous starving dogs and cats with no water in the backyard and in cages inside. In a shed, they found trash bags full of dead dogs, cats and kittens. The two-bedroom house and yard on Ballard Street reeked of feces and decomposing animals.

Concluding a case led by Assistant State Attorney Jacob Polk, GROSE pleaded no-contest March 3 to charges including:

• 13 counts of felony cruelty to animals causing death, pain or suffering
• 10 counts of misdemeanor cruelty to animals

Circuit Judge Melanie Chase sentenced GROSE to seven years in prison followed by 10 years of probation. GROSE will not be allowed to own animals during her probation.

In all, Animal Services officers removed 26 dogs, 13 cats and two exotic birds from GROSE’s home in 2023, county reports said. Two dogs died in officers’ presence. Neighbors had long noticed the stench from GROSE’s home.

Business records showed GROSE had registered a pet-rescue business at the site. But “Grose admitted to not having money or food to properly care for the animals,” the police arrest report said.

Evidence in the case included photos and descriptions of the emaciated animals in a report by Seminole County Animal Services: