OKEECHOBEE -- An Okeechobee man  has been acharged with 22  counts of Cruelty to Animals and one count of Obstruction of Justice by Okeechobee Deputy Sheriff Richard Varnadore stemming from an unlicensed animal rescue operation at 19461 Northwest 288th Street, housing thirty-three total dogs.

Deputy Varnadore went to the property with Animal Control Supervisor Amy Fisher, whom a concerned citizen told about the living conditions of the animals there. Brian Peffer allowed them to come and look at the animals on the property.

During the investigation, Peffer admitted to having 17 total dogs on the property. Peffer showed investigators 14 dogs in a fenced in a 100 X 80-foot area. A few had minor injuries, but none seemed in any distress that alarmed investigators.

However, three others were found in a small 5X5 style utility shed that raised suspicions. The heat index inside that small 5X5 trailer measured 85 degrees, and the heat index outside was rising to 93 degrees. No food or water source was found, nor were the dogs getting out of the trailer to urinate or defecate as the floor was thick and saturated with feces and urine.  Peffer stated that was all of the animals he had on the property and became nervous when dogs were heard barking in another part of the property.

Investigators already knew about an additional 20’ by 6’ office-style building located further back on the property. Investigators heard dogs barking from within that structure and questioned Peffer about it.

Peffer first denied having any animals in the building; however, he reluctantly took investigators there and opened the side doors saying, "Daddy f***** up." to one of the dogs as he pets it.

Fisher and Varnadore located 19 more dogs, living in complete squalor without leaving the structure. The smell of urine and feces was extraordinarily pungent, and the floor was thick with  feces and mixed urine; and, maggots were feeding on it. Peffer admitted to lying to investigators for fear of being arrested and losing his dogs. Peffer was arrested and booked on the above 23 total charges. A total of 33 dogs and two chickens were turned over to Okeechobee Animal Control by Peffer.

Animal control officers hope to care for and eventually adopt these dogs out.

Okeechobee County Sheriff's Office strives daily to continue the strong partnerships with our community, allowing someone to entrust us with information that led to this arrest and rescue when probable cause exists.