A former Florida deputy was sentenced to five years of probation and is prohibited from owning, possessing or caring for any animal after he was found guilty of aggravated animal cruelty .

Nicholas Anthony Zotto, 31, was arrested in December 2023 after he failed to shut down his dog-sitting business , Pawesome Sitters, despite being ordered by Manatee County Code Enforcement to stop conducting business, according to previous Herald-Tribune reporting. He was also issued a notice to appear for animal abuse.

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