CRYSTAL JEAN CONLEY arrested for refusing to surrender her severely injured cat for medical care, which resulted in one of the cat's legs being amputated

- Florida, USA -

A disturbing incident that occurred back in March 2025, has resulted in the recent arrest of 62-year-old CRYSTAL JEAN CONLEY (pictured).

The DeSoto County Sheriff's Office said in a press release that in March, Agricultural Deputy Ernie Manriquez received a troubling phone call from Fur-ever Friends Animal Hospital. Deputy Manriquez learned that a woman, later identified as CONLEY, had called the hospital to ask for “instructions on how to amputate her cat’s leg at home.”

Deputy Manriquez went to CONLEY’s home and discovered something horrific. The deputy found a thin black cat with her right leg “reduced to pure, exposed bone—no skin, no fur,” stated the release.

The furvictim, whom the sheriff’s office referred to as Daisy, was emaciated, scoring just 2 out of 9 on the Body Condition Scale and was in urgent need of medical care.

DeSoto County Animal Control immediately took Daisy into custody and took her to the Fur-ever Friends Animal Hospital. Veterinary staff reported that Daisy was dangerously anemic, hypovolemic, and battling a severe infection. Staff also confirmed that the injury was around three weeks old and added that Daisy “would have eventually died from sepsis without treatment,” said the sheriff’s office.

It took several weeks to stabilize Daisy before she was strong enough to undergo amputation.

The nonprofit Love Life Animal Rescue & Sanctuary said in a Facebook post that Daisy, now renamed Chicken Little, has been at their sanctuary since March 2025. Part of a post published on September 3, 2025, read: “We are sooooo happy to share that CHICKEN 🐈‍⬛ our tri-pod three legged kitty is now spayed, completely vetted and THRIVING here at the sanctuary!!!! She is so SO LOVED!!! 💕” 

CONLEY was arrested on August 27, 2025, and charged with one felony count of aggravated animal cruelty. She was released the following day after posting a $5,000 bond.

According to the sheriff’s office, CONLEY said she could not afford veterinary treatment for the cat. However, investigators later discovered that she had refused to surrender the furvictim for proper treatment when advised to do so by the vet. Her refusal ultimately left the poor soul to suffer with an untreated injury for weeks.

Court records show that CONLEY is scheduled to appear in DeSoto County Circuit Court for her arraignment on October 20, 2025, at 9:00 a.m. before Judge Don Thomas Hall.

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Voice For Us Disclaimer: This story is sourced from the press release by the DeSoto County Sheriff's Office. Please note that details may be removed or new information added should updates become available.

In the case of charges being dropped, dismissed, or the case being purged, this article will be rectified accordingly, if official documentation is provided to Voice For Us.

CONLEY’s mugshot shared from the DeSoto County Sheriff's Office

Chicken Little can be briefly seen in this video

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