85 animals rescued from Calhoun County in “heartbreaking conditions”

CALHOUN COUNTY, Fla. (WJHG/WECP) - An Altha woman is behind bars facing felony charges for animal cruelty after Calhoun County deputies say they found dozens of animals living in dire conditions.

Alaqua Animal Refuge said 85 animals have been rescued and are getting treatment.

Dawn Elrod was arrested on May 3, 2026, after the sheriff’s office received reports of dead and malnourished animals on the property where she was living.

It all started in 2022 when Elrod asked for help moving animals to protect them from a fire. A Colorado rescue group, Pack 22 Alpha, and Alaqua stepped in.

Deputies investigated photos, obtained a warrant, and called in Alaqua Animal Refuge and Pack 22 Alpha to help remove the animals.

“We weren’t prepared at all. We thought we were just going to put our eyes on the property. I actually met the woman who lived on the property, and she signed the animals over to us, and at that time was not even aware how many animals were there,” said Laurie Hood, founder and CEO of Alaqua.

Rescuers found wolf dogs, cats, goats, rabbits, and other livestock animals.

“We went on the property; there were animals that were screaming out for help. There were bones everywhere. I think that’s what really differentiated this one: there were so many deceased animals all over that property. It was completely chaotic,” Hood said.

Weeks after the animals were removed, the stench still hung in the air at the property.

“There were dead animals everywhere. Dead animals in bags, piled up, from various stages, there were fresh dead animals in the front, and bags of bones in the back. There was a pit on the property filled with bones,” Hood said.

Alaqua says it took three days to remove all 85 animals. Some were transferred to other rescues or fosters. Some went to Alaqua to recover.

“A couple of them didn’t make it, but the majority of them- I wouldn’t say they are thriving, but they are definitely improving day by day,” Hood said.

Sheriff Michael Bryant said Calhoun County doesn’t have the resources to handle a case like this without outside help.

“We don’t have any resources; we depend on outside resources, so we are very grateful that they came in and helped us,” Bryant said.

He said there’s also a limit to what the law can prevent ahead of time.

“I don’t know that there is any law preventing someone from owning as many animals as they want,” Bryant said.

Alaqua says that’s why they’re asking people to speak up before situations escalate.

“It doesn’t happen overnight, and it’s something that we like to try to stop the problem before it gets to this point. If you are that person and somehow you are overwhelmed, and you’ve gotten too many animals. Just give us a call,” Hood said.

Elrod remains in the Calhoun County jail. She’s charged with aggravated animal cruelty, and Alaqua says they’re working with prosecutors to pursue additional charges.

The animals at Alaqua are recovering and readjusting after living in cramped conditions. The refuge says some are already available for adoption, with updates posted on social media.

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