Sheriff's office takes ownership of seized animals

Manatee County Sheriff Brad Steube reports a judge signed an order today giving ownership of animals seized from Napier’s Log Cabin Horse and Animal Sanctuary to the sheriff’s office.

The judge signed the order after the owners of the sanctuary, Alan and Sheree Napier, reached an agreement with the sheriff’s office. 

The order allows the adoption process to begin for the hundreds of animals that were seized from Napier’s and transferred to various shelters, including Nate’s Honor Animal Rescue and the Lakewood Ranch Humane Society.

The sheriff’s office seized more than 300 dogs, cats, horses, pigs and other animals Feb. 5 from Napier’s, located at 20010 State Road 64 E, due to poor health conditions.

Officials seized another eight horses Feb. 10 from a location in Myakka.

Under the terms of the agreement with the Napiers, the couple’s daughter will get ownership of two confiscated horses because she took ownership of those horses before the sheriff’s office filed a petition to own the animals. 

The criminal investigation into possible animal cruelty and fraud continues. 

No arrests have been made.

If anyone is interested in adopting the animals, they are located at these locations: 

• Canine Castaways 

• Cat Depot

• Certified Pre-Owned Dogs

• Ewenity Farms Border Collie Rescue

• Gulf Shore Animal League 

• Honor Animal Rescue

• Lakewood Ranch Humane Society 

• Manatee County Animal Services

• Manatee County Humane Society

• Nate’s Honor Animal Rescue

• Royal Rescue

• Sarasota County Humane Society

• Safe Haven Animal Rescue of Florida

• Southeast Beagle Rescue

• VIP Rescue

• Underdog Rescue of Florida 

• Whispering Ranches Feed