A pitbull puppy found curled up and barely moving in a roadside ditch in Flagler County, Florida is now at the center of a criminal investigation. Officials say the young dog had a severe infection along with open sores and cuts across her body, and they believe she had been left there and abandoned.
According to FOX 35 Orlando, the outlet aired the report on April 15, showing the pup alone in the ditch after what authorities believe were days of heavy rain. The video and accompanying story describe her condition as dire and note that an investigation is underway to find out who left her there.
What the law says
Under Florida law, abandoning an animal or causing unnecessary suffering can bring criminal charges that range from a first-degree misdemeanor to a third-degree felony for aggravated cruelty. Chapter 828 of the Florida Statutes outlines the penalties, including potential fines, jail time, and bans on future animal ownership, when neglect or intentional harm is proven. For the full language, see Florida Statutes Chapter 828.
Local pattern
Flagler County has seen similar calls before. In 2022, deputies asked the public for help after several puppies were abandoned in a Huntington Village neighborhood, then taken in by a local veterinary clinic. That earlier incident, reported by FOX 35 Orlando, highlighted how animal-abandonment cases have continued to surface in the area in recent years.
How to report tips
Anyone with information about this latest case is asked to contact the Flagler County Sheriff's Office non-emergency line at 386-313-4911 or email [email protected]. Tips can also be submitted anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 1-888-277-TIPS. The sheriff's office maintains an online tips portal and has repeatedly urged residents to report suspected animal cruelty or abandonment, according to the Flagler County Sheriff's Office.
