Arrest warrant issued in Brooksville animal cruelty case

BROOKSVILLE – An arrest warrant has been issued in an animal cruelty case opened Aug. 13 after an emaciated and wounded pit bull was found locked in an outside storage facility beside a vacant house in Brooksville.

The dog was badly cut and bleeding from apparent bite wounds and was so emaciated it could not even lift its head, and died later that same day.

Brooksville police issued an arrest warrant Friday for Blake C. Worley, 21, of 807 Peach Street.

Worley turns 22 on Sunday.

Brooksville police say an investigation revealed Worley admitted to locking the dog in the storage facility without water or medical care, which was a factor in the dog’s death.

Worley is being charged with animal cruelty, and jail records show as of Friday morning Worley has not been arrested for the charges.

Jail records show Worley was arrested January 2012 on charges of burglary and a non-moving traffic violation.

Anyone with information in the case is asked to contact Brooksville Police Department at (352) 540-3800, and might be eligible for a $1,000 reward for information leading to conviction.

To remain anonymous call Hernando County Crime Stoppers’ toll free line at 1-866-990-8477 (TIPS), or email a tip at http://www.hernandosheriff.org/Tips/