NEWS RELEASE
Woman Arrested After Abandoning Pets During Eviction
Date:Friday, August 21, 2026
A Palm Coast woman has been arrested in Seminole County following a Flagler County Sheriff’s Office investigation in which deputies determined she abandoned two animals after being evicted from her residence.
On July 12, the FCSO Agriculture/Ranch Unit responded to a residence on Waybourne Place in Palm Coast following reports that a dog had been left inside after its owner, who was renting the property, had been evicted. Concerned neighbors reported the tenant, Erin Curley, 36, had not been seen in multiple weeks and the dog was barking and crying inside the residence.
Once inside the residence, deputies and Palm Coast Animal Control officers not only located the dog, but a cat as well. While rescuing the animals, they encountered a home in unkempt condition, with urine and feces throughout the residence, an overflowing litterbox in the bedroom, and a couch that had been ripped apart by the dog. They also observed there was no dog food or water inside the residence and that the toilet bowl was dry; presumably as the dog drank from the toilet as its only source of water for the duration it was left on its own.
After both animals were evaluated, veterinarians found the cat was emaciated, dehydrated, and had extreme calcium levels, among other health conditions. Due to this evaluation, the determination was made that the cat needed to be humanely euthanized. The dog, who was found to be in good health, was taken to the Flagler Humane Society for housing and care. Due to its mental condition from being abandoned, the dog is not expected to be available for adoption.
During the investigation, deputies determined the water and power to the property had both been previously turned off during the eviction process, leaving the animals without water or air conditioning for an extended period.
On Aug. 5, Curley contacted the FCSO Agriculture/Ranch Unit through email and text inquiring about the dog, which she stated she had learned was at the humane society. Deputies attempted to organize a meeting with Curley on Aug. 12 to discuss the case and the dog. Curley did not respond, and at no point inquired about the cat.
Deputies obtained a warrant for Curley’s arrest on Aug. 14 for two counts of confinement of animals without sufficient food or water and two counts of felony cruelty to animals.
On Aug. 20, the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office arrested Curley in Geneva with assistance from FCSO’s Fugitive Apprehension Unit. She was transported to the John E. Polk Correctional Facility in Sanford, where she is being held on a $25,000 bond.
Erin Curley (John E. Polk Correctional Facility mug shot)
“This woman clearly did not care about her pets, as she left them hungry and thirsty with no place to use the bathroom. Then, she finally reached out a month later asking about her dog and didn’t even bring up her cat who tragically passed away,” said Sheriff Rick Staly. “We don’t tolerate animal cruelty in any form. I want to thank the neighbors who were concerned about the animals’ safety, our Agriculture/Ranch Unit for their thorough investigation, and our partners in Seminole County for helping us put an animal abuser behind bars.”
Sheriff Staly reminds residents to be responsible with pet ownership. Anyone who suspects animal cruelty is encouraged to file a report by calling the FCSO non-emergency line at 386-313-4911.