Brevard County Sheriff Releases Details in Animal Cruelty Case in Melbourne

bond set for $2,000 each

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – Members of the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office Fugitive Unit arrested Michael Postell and Alicia Hayes Wednesday night on a warrant for Animal Cruelty that stemmed from a March of 2019 Animal Cruelty case that was worked in partnership by the Melbourne Police Department and the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office Animal Cruelty Unit.

In March of 2019 Officers from the Melbourne Police Department responded to a residence in south Melbourne in reference to a report of an abused animal that was intentionally neglected and near death.

The Brevard County Sheriff’s Animal Services and Enforcement Unit was also involved in the investigation that identified a small bulldog mix named “Sasha” that was being abused.

At the time of the investigation “Sasha” was found chained to a doghouse, was so weak that she was unable to stand or walk, and was laying in her own excrement.

According to treating Veterinarians, “Sasha” suffered from severe hypothermia with a body temperature of 91 degrees, had life threatening anima, and was also covered in parasites and insects.

As part of the investigation “Sasha’s” owners were identified as Michael Postell and Alicia Hayes of Melbourne, both of whom could not be located.

As a result, the case was referred to the State Attorney’s Office with formal Animal Cruelty charges being filed for both Postell and Hayes.

On November 22, 2019, the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office Fugitive Unit received a Capias for the arrest of both suspects and immediately went to work to identify their whereabouts.

Fugitive Agents developed various leads in the case and early this morning conducted surveillance on a suspected residence where Hayes and Postell were believed to be hiding.

At approximately 7 a.m., Postell made the mistake of stepping outside at which time Agents rushed in and arrested him.

Pursuant to Postell’s arrest, Hayes came out of the residence and was immediately arrested as well.

Subsequent to their arrests, both Hayes and Postell said that they remembered the little dog, but said she wasn’t significant and did not think they should be arrested over the incident.

Both, Postell and Hayes, were transported to the Brevard County Jail were they were incarcerated pursuant to the instructions of the Capias for Animal Cruelty with a bond of $2,000 each.

I wonder if they think “Sasha” was significant now, but to be honest I really couldn’t care less what either of them think as they are right where they belong…in our County Jail about to have the worst Thanksgiving possible!

“Sasha” couldn’t care less either as she is about to have probably the best Thanksgiving she has ever had with her new loving family after she was nursed back to health by our veterinarians and staff at the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office Animal Care Center.

A huge “Thank You” to members of the Melbourne Police Department and our Animal Cruelty Investigative Team for working so hard to save “Sasha” and to make sure that the perpetrators in this case went to jail where they belong!!

I am sick and tired of perpetrators like these two harming animals and getting such a pathetic bond that they can often get out before our team can even finish the paperwork.

Thankfully these two are still in jail but enough is enough with these pathetic bonds!

I can assure you that I will be working closely with our State Attorney Phil Archer who has always taken a hard stance against those who abuse animals and our Chief Judge in Brevard County to change the bond assignments on cases of this nature.

– Sheriff Wayne Ivey

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