A 21-year-old woman has been arrested after her two Labrador retrievers were found dead in a storage unit in Florida, having been locked inside for days without food or water as outside temperatures reached 35C.
Discovery at storage facility
Local police made the discovery on Sunday, July 19, 2026, after a tenant at a storage facility in the 500 block of East Court Street reported a strong foul odour coming from one of the units. According to a news release from the Bunnell Police Department, the tenant told an officer that dog noises could normally be heard from inside, but none were heard that morning. The officer observed ants beneath the roll-up door and flies entering and leaving a nearby vent.
The renter was identified as Alexia Veronica Barquet, 21, who was called to the facility to unlock the door. She then told officers that she kept two dogs in the unit.
Condition of the unit
Officers reported a floor covered with dog faeces, trash, and debris. A portable cooling unit was running but producing no cool air, and temperatures outside reached 96F (35C). Authorities said the unit's interior felt no cooler than the outside temperature. Officers also found no water in the dogs' dishes.
Two deceased female black Labrador retrievers were found: Ava, aged 5, and Karma, aged 2. Karma was found on the floor near a door, while Ava's remains had been placed inside a black plastic bag. Barquet told officers she discovered Ava deceased earlier in the week, placed her into a plastic bag, and left her remains inside the unit. She said she last checked Karma on Friday, July 17, and provided food and water at that time.
Arrest and charges
Barquet was arrested and transported to the Flagler County Inmate Facility. She was charged with two counts involving confinement or abandonment of animals without adequate food, water, exercise, or air, in violation of Florida Statute 828.13(2)(b) – misdemeanours.
“This is a disgusting case of animal cruelty, and these dogs died in a condition no animal should ever face,” said Bunnell Police Chief David Brannon. “Animals depend entirely upon their owners for food, clean water, safe shelter, exercise, medical attention, and protection from dangerous conditions. Owning an animal carries a serious responsibility—one no person can ignore or set aside when providing care becomes difficult.”
Brannon added: “Animal cruelty has no place in Bunnell, and our department maintains zero tolerance for anyone who abuses, neglects, or abandons an animal. When someone violates this fundamental duty and causes suffering or death, our officers will investigate thoroughly, follow the evidence, and relentlessly pursue full accountability under Florida law.”
