Cristela Guerra

cguerra@news-press.com

Zealously lionized as well as overwhelmingly criticized by strangers around the world, Cape Coral resident Robin Speronis' off-the-grid beliefs included holistic remedies for herself and her two dogs. Animal control officers tried for several months to examine the welfare of her pets, a 14-year-old brown Labrador named Faith and a 7-year-old black and white Chihuahua named Suzie.

After an extended investigation, Speronis was arrested on a misdemeanor Wednesday night: one count of animal cruelty. Thursday, according to Samantha Syoen, spokeswoman for the state attorney's office, the judge held Speronis on the "Widman Act" in affiliation with a 2010 felony case she had probation on."

A 24-page report from Lee County Domestic Animal Services detailed their attempts from last December to now. Officers visited the duplex almost a dozen times between December of 2013 and April. Speronis would go in when she saw them coming, refusing to open the door or let them see the dogs, the report said.

Off-the-grid woman has dogs removed, alleged neglect

"She told me that there would not be any dogs in this world that are better taken care of then her dogs," the report said. The animal control officer "then asked if the dogs were up to date on rabies vaccinations and Lee County license and (Speronis) just shook her head and stated, 'it is a beautiful sunny day and I am sure you have better things to do than this.'

Faith had a chronic skin condition, which officials said was getting worse. Both dogs were seized from Speronis' custody on a warrant April 9 after being found in a neighbor's lanai. Suzie was returned to Speronis on April 24.

At that time, she told officials she believes steroids and antibiotics kill good bacteria and that singing the song ('Faith') by George Michael helps Faith with her issues." Animal services officials would not comment on the dog.

"We have turned this case involving her dogs over to the State Attorney's Office," said Ria Brown, spokeswoman for Lee County Domestic Animal Services. "We have been instructed not to give interviews about the case."

Officials say Faith's skin condition seemed to be growing worse. Speronis told them it started nine years ago. She told officials she believed "Faith's condition is due to her 'elephant skin,' but that the dog did not have any scabs or open wounds on her legs. Therefore, she did not feel the dog was suffering. Suzie seemed in overall all good health and was returned to Speronis on April 24.

Before returning the little dog, officials asked Speronis if she intended to provide a county license or rabies vaccine for the dog. She said no.

"She also would not give information on whether she has taken either dog to a veterinarian," the report says. "Speronis owned another dog named 'Hope' which has since died, no further information provided."

Faith's issues started nine years ago. Raw meat, raw organs, eggs with shells, garlic, olive oil, organic dog food, and "super foods" were among the alternative means Speronis used to treat the dog. She'd recently discontinued the organic "diet" and began feeding Faith the same food she eats (scraps) and whatever else is donated to her, the report said.

Neighbor Doug Williams said Speronis would never harm her animals. He was there when she was handcuffed and arranged for Suzie to be taken care of. She'd often keep her dogs at his home. Faith was found tied to a cinder block and removed from the home on a stretcher.

Speronis remains at the center of a code enforcement legal battle. Special Magistrate Harold S. Eskin expected her Thursday to discuss the case. Due to her incarceration and to give her the opportunity to attend, Code Enforcement Manager Frank Cassidy agreed to continue the meeting until June.

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