JASON DION MUNN, a Floral City dog breeder, arrested for severely neglecting three dogs
- voiceforus
- Apr 23, 2022
- 4 min read
Updated: May 10, 2022
- Florida, USA -
~ Update: May 10, 2022
The Citrus County Sheriff’s Office announced that JASON DION MUNN (pictured), wanted for animal cruelty, was taken into custody on Tuesday, May 3.
In a news release the sheriff’s office said that MUNN “was arrested by authorities with the Saguache County Sheriff's Office in Colorado, thanks to the assistance of the United States Marshals Service (USMS) Fugitive Task Force.”
“Munn’s arrest could not have been made possible if it was not for the collaborative efforts of all the incredible professionals and advocates involved,” said Citrus County Sheriff Mike Prendergast.
MUNN was first arrested on Monday, April 18, on three counts of aggravated animal cruelty but he was released after posting bond even though authorities knew he was planning on leaving the state!
On April 27, the Citrus County Sheriff’s Office reached out to the public for help in finding MUNN and said in a Facebook post that he was wanted for two counts of aggravated animal cruelty.
The sheriff’s office said that despite MUNN’s initial arrest, officials continued to investigate and it emerged that MUNN relocated 65 dogs to Iowa.
Due to the condition the dogs were in, they were all removed by the Keokuk County Sheriff’s Office and the Iowa Animal Rescue League.
One of the dogs, now in the care of the Animal Rescue League of Iowa, had a leg that was improperly amputated.
The investigation led CCSO’s Community Crimes Detectives and Animal Control Officers to believe that MUNN “performed this amputation himself in Citrus County, without the assistance of a veterinarian or proper follow-up care.”
So, in relation to this specific incident, on April 20, detectives and Animal Control Officers served a search warrant for both of MUNN’s properties at 6991 E. Shadywoods Ct. and 7033 E. Shadywoods Ct. in Floral City.
The sheriff’s office said: “In total, 56 dogs were found on the property living in deplorable conditions.
Some were confined in small kennels with multiple other dogs and no access to food or water. The remains of two dogs were also located under a tarp on the property and one puppy was found deceased in its own feces and urine, with no access to water.”
Officials also discovered 28 reptiles (snakes, skinks, geckos, and monitor lizards) who were living in terrible conditions.
Multiple agencies worked jointly to remove the live animals and to further investigate the deaths of the deceased dogs.
Attempts to make contact with MUNN, who in the meantime had bonded out, were unsuccessful.
Evidence gathered during the course of the investigation, and preliminary examinations by the shelter veterinarian led to the issuance of an arrest warrant for two counts of animal cruelty.
MUNN was arrested in Colorado and will be extradited back to Citrus County.
The sheriff’s office advised that additional charges are pending.
~ Update: April 28, 2022
The Citrus County Sheriff’s Office said that its Animal Control Officers need the public’s help in finding 48-years-old JASON DION MUNN.
If you have any information on his whereabouts, please, do the right thing and contact the Citrus County Sheriff's Office at (352) - 249 - 2790 or Crime Stoppers at 1-888-Any-Tips. Thank you!
~ Update: April 25, 2022
I heard back from Citrus County PIO Veronica Kampschroer and she kindly emailed pictures of Andy and Tally, “two of the 14 surrendered.”
Ms. Kampschroer tells me that Andy is available for adoption while Andy is still on medical treatment.
~ Original story:
Following an animal cruelty investigation conducted by the Citrus County Sheriff’s Office, on April 11, a warrant was issued for the arrest of 48-years-old JASON DION MUNN (pictured).
MUNN, of Floral City, was taking into custody on Monday, April 18, on three counts of aggravated animal cruelty.
On April 1, animal control officers responded to Pine Ridge Goldens on 7033 E. Shadywoods Court after receiving complaints that MUNN, the owner of the business, “was violating county ordinances for having inadequate kennel sizes and capacities”, reports Citrus County Chronicle.
According to MUNN’s arrest affidavit, investigators revealed that he “is one of Citrus County’s largest dog breeders” with around 10 years in the business.
Reportedly, he was planning to move to either Idaho or Colorado and was trying to relocate several of his dogs before leaving the state.
Ten of his dogs were surrendered to Citrus County Animal Services where the furbabies were examined. Dr. Meaghan Mielo reported that one of the dogs, a male Husky named Meeko, was suffering from ear, dental, and oral infections and his jawbone was also in severe decay.
Dr. Mielo advised that the required surgery would result in hearing loss.
Officials then returned to Pine Ridge Goldens on April 7, to inspect the other animals and when they informed MUNN of Meeko’s condition, he said he was aware and that he could “smell the infection.” MUNN then added that he was planning to euthanize him but decided to surrender him instead.
The following day, MUNN brought several more dogs to the shelter who were also examined by Dr. Mielo.
Among the furbabies were a 9-month-old Golden Shepard Doodle named Terri and a 5-year-old black Shepard named Jinn. Both of them had severe ear infections and various other medical conditions as a result of long-term neglect.
“Pus was draining from both of Jinn’s ear canals, one of which was constricted and ulcerated. Jinn’s left earflap had scarring and scabs from flies biting the skin and laying eggs within the broken tissue. Jinn’s right earflap also showed signs of auricular hematoma – similar to cauliflower ear in humans – caused by constant headshaking because of the discomfort from the ear infections”, reported Citrus County Chronicle.
Terri’s ear infections risked causing neurological dysfunction and hearing loss.
Animal Services learned from MUNN’s veterinarian at the Animal Clinic in Floral City that there were no records of any medical treatment being provided to any of MUNN’s dogs.
Ms. Veronica Kampschroer, Citrus County PIO said that Jinn, Meeko, and Terri were placed in foster-to-adopt homes and are still receiving intensive medical care.
MUNN was booked into the Citrus County Jail on a $45,000 bond.
He had his first court appearance the day after his arrest and the judge confirmed the bond.
MUNN is expected back in court on May 11, 2022, for his arraignment.
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Details may be removed or additional information may be provided in future should such sources report an update.
Dog breeding should be abolished! Adopt Don’t shop.