A 53-year-old Fort Lauderdale man is facing felony animal cruelty charges after Broward County deputies found five dogs malnourished, scarred, and chained with heavy metal restraints at his home, according to arrest documents. Henry Mims surrendered five of his six dogs to Broward County Animal Care following the discovery, and he now faces four counts of aggravated animal cruelty and one count of animal cruelty.
Deputies responded to Mims' home near the 2900 block of Northwest 10th Court in unincorporated Broward County after receiving a Crime Stoppers tip about possible animal cruelty and suspected dog-fighting activities, as reported by WPLG Local 10. Three pit bull-type dogs were secured with heavy metal chains attached to large collars that appeared too heavy for the animals, and Broward County animal control officials reported possible involvement in dog-fighting activities based on what they observed at the scene, according to the arrest report.
One of the dogs appeared extremely thin, with ribs, spine and hip bones visibly protruding, the station's report states. That same dog also had additional scars and marks on its body. Another dog had an apparent sore on its neck beneath the jawline, described as reddened with hair loss and exposed tissue consistent with prolonged collar and chain pressure or rubbing.
Signs of Neglect Across the Property
A third dog was found with apparent wounds on her neck from a heavy leash and collar. Two of the dogs were housed in individual wire kennels, per the same account, while the four other surrendered dogs — all American Staffordshire terriers — were underweight and infested with fleas. Broward County animal control officials assessed the property conditions and circumstances as consistent with signs of neglect, according to the arrest report.
Not every dog on the property was in poor condition. The sixth dog appeared healthy and well cared for and remained with Mims after the others were surrendered. One of the surrendered American Staffordshire terriers was later euthanized because of aggression, the outlet noted.
Mims was arrested after deputies found the animals in poor condition and was held at the Broward County Main Jail on a $21,000 bond. He reportedly told deputies he was tired of repeated visits from law enforcement and animal control, according to the arrest report cited by the outlet.
Felony Exposure Under Florida Law
Aggravated animal cruelty is classified as a third-degree felony under Florida Statute § 828.12(2), carrying up to five years in prison and a $10,000 fine for each count, according to Online Sunshine, the state's official statutes portal. State law also mandates that anyone convicted of aggravated animal cruelty involving intentional torture pay a minimum $2,500 fine and complete psychological counseling or anger management treatment.
Because the initial tip to deputies specifically flagged suspected dog fighting, and animal control noted scarring and heavy chain restraints consistent with that activity, prosecutors could potentially pursue additional charges under the Florida Animal Fighting Act. That statute, Florida Statute § 828.122, makes owning, possessing, training, or breeding animals or equipment for fighting or baiting a third-degree felony punishable by up to five years in prison per count. Whether such charges will be filed remains an open question, as no additional counts related to dog fighting have been announced.
The heavy chains attached to large collars described in the arrest report also appear to run afoul of local restraint ordinances. Broward County Code Sec. 4-8.5, known as “Nikki's Rule,” bans tethering dogs to stationary objects with heavy chains and instead requires a pulley or trolley system with a harness and a tether weighing no more than one-eighth of the dog's body weight, according to PETA. Fort Lauderdale's own code separately restricts outdoor tethering between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. except for temporary periods under 15 minutes, and requires proper body harnesses when tethering is allowed.
Part of a Pattern in Broward County
Mims' case follows a string of recent animal cruelty arrests across Broward County. In April, Broward Sheriff's Office deputies arrested an Oakland Park man on 41 counts after finding 18 neglected dogs and puppies at his residence. That same month, authorities arrested a 60-year-old Lauderhill woman on felony animal cruelty charges after two American Staffordshire terriers found in severe neglect at her home were euthanized by Broward County Animal Care.
Florida law also includes provisions requiring certain felony animal cruelty convictions to be listed on a public registry, restricting convicted offenders from future pet ownership. It remains unclear what will happen to the four surrendered American Staffordshire terriers still in Broward County Animal Care's custody, or what behavioral evaluations they may undergo following the euthanasia of one of the group.
