<p>WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- Officials are calling it animal cruelty like they've never seen before.</p> 
<p>As Hurricane Irma&#8217;s outer bands inch closer to Florida, animal control officers said they are hustling to rescue abandoned animals.</p> 
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<p>And these aren't pets who are just being left inside, Director of Animal Care Diane Suave said.</p> 
<p>&#8220;They are left in a yard, in a pen they cannot escape from or tethered to trees or poles,&#8221; she said.</p> 
<p>Palm Beach County Animal Care reports animal control officers have rescued 49 dogs and two cats in the last 48 hours.</p> 
<p>&#8220;Even a tiny bit of sand can hurt an animal when it&#8217;s traveling through 100-plus mph winds,&#8221; Sauve said.</p> 
<p>Animal control officers were slowly pulled off the road at 2:30 p.m. Saturday.</p> 
<p>Sauve said once winds reach a sustained 35 mph, no officers will be permitted to rescue animals.</p> 
<p>&#8220;We are asking the public, if it is safe, consider sheltering any animals you see left outside,&#8221; she said.</p> 
<p>Both Sauve and State Attorney Dave Aronberg said they promise to prosecute anyone who left their animals outside to fend for themselves during Hurricane Irma.</p> 
<p>&#8220;This is a prime example of animal cruelty,&#8221; Aronberg said. &#8220;We will find you, and we will prosecute you.&#8221;</p> 
<p>Sauve said officials will use every paper trail imaginable to track down animal cruelty offenders.</p> 
<p>&#8220;It&#8217;s unconscionable,&#8221; she said. &#8220;We will not stand for it here in Palm Beach County.&#8221;</p> 
<p>HURRICANE IRMA | <a type="internal">Real-time tracking maps, Hurricane supply kit info &amp;amp; Hurricane Center</a></p> 
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More than 50 animals found tethered to trees in Florida county as Irma approaches