MICHAEL W. M. HAYWOOD arrested – Five neglected Pitbulls rescued from his home and investigation underway into possible dogfighting

- Maryland, USA -

The Charles County Sheriff's Office arrested 47-year-old MICAHEL W. M. HAYWOOD (pictured).

Charles County Animal Control contacted detectives with the sheriff’s office Criminal Investigations Division, regarding an investigation into animal neglect at a residence in the 3500 block of Twinbrook Drive in Waldorf. Animal Control Officers explained to detectives that they had received a complaint about numerous dogs who were being housed in inhumane conditions.

Detectives continued to investigate and obtained a search warrant for the aforementioned property.

The warrant was executed on September 2, 2025, and detectives were assisted by the Emergency Services Team (EST), Patrol, the Neighborhood Enforcement Team (NET), and Charles County Animal Control Officers.

The search led to the discovery of a total of five Pitbulls. Three of them were found inside the garage. According to the press release by the sheriff's office, the three Pitbulls were “living in feces and urine-soaked crates.”

The other two Pitbulls were located outside, “chained and without proper shelter.”

The sheriff's office said all five dogs “were extremely thin, had cuts around their face, and some of the dogs had heavy chains around their necks weighing approximately 15 pounds, almost the weight of the dogs.”

A spokesperson for the sheriff's office tells me that no animals were found deceased on the property.

All five dogs were transported to a local emergency veterinary clinic for medical evaluation and treatment.

During the search, officials also uncovered evidence of potential dogfighting such as, but not limited to, a treadmill baited with dog toys, and large doses of antibiotics.

Additionally, deputies found four firearms in the home, belonging to HAYWOOD, who is legally prohibited from possessing them.

HAYWOOD was arrested and transported to the Charles County Detention Center, where he was charged with multiple counts of animal cruelty, prohibited possession of a firearm, illegal possession of ammunition, illegal possession of a shotgun, and wear/carry/transport of a firearm.

The investigation into possible dogfighting is ongoing, and additional charges are pending.

On the same day of his arrest, a district court commissioner released HAYWOOD from the Charles County Detention Center on personal recognizance.

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Voice For Us Disclaimer: This story is sourced from the press release by the Charles 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.

HAYWOOD’s mugshot shared from the Charles County Sheriff's Office

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MICHAEL DAVID COOK arrested after being caught on video unmercifully abusing his small dog

- Florida, USA -

The Fort Myers Police Department announced the arrest of 44-year-old MICHAEL DAVID COOK (pictured).

The Police said in a press release that on the early afternoon of Tuesday, September 2, 2025, Officers Colantuono and Camilleri were dispatched to an apartment complex in the 2200 block of McGregor Boulevard to investigate a report of animal cruelty.

On arrival, the officers learned from the reporting party that COOK was abusing his small dog. According to the witness, COOK hit the dog and threw him/her against a wall. The witness further said that he confronted COOK and threatened to call the police, which he thankfully did.

One of the videos recorded by the witness showed COOK grabbing the dog and violently throwing him/her against a wall causing the furvictim to cry in pain. Another video which was submitted to Officers Colantuono and Camilleri as evidence, showed COOK kneeling on the defenseless dog.

When the officers questioned COOK about his actions, he “admitted to handling the dog roughly but attempted to justify his actions as discipline related to obedience and house-training issues,” stated the press release.

The Lee County Sheriff’s Office Animal Cruelty Unit, including Sgt. Van Pelt, and Lee County Animal Control responded to assist, and Animal Control took the dog for medical evaluation.

According to the press release, the dog displayed “signs of fear and possible injury.”

COOK was placed under arrest and charged with one felony count of aggravated animal cruelty. He was booked into the Lee County Jail and released the following day after posting a $5,000 bond.

Court records show that COOK is scheduled to appear in Lee County Circuit Court on October 6, 2025, at 8:30 a.m.

I have reached out to the Fort Myers Police Department to inquire about the furvictim’s well-being, but its PIO Megan Fuentes has not responded to my email.

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Voice For Us Disclaimer: This story is sourced from the press release by the Fort Myers Police Department. 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.

COOK’s mugshot shared from the Fort Myers Police Department

For more animal cruelty stories, please click here. Thank you!

GUADALUPE GARCIA JR. arrested – One dog who died from heatstroke, and a live dog removed from his Collier County home

- Florida, USA -

The Collier County Sheriff’s Office announced the arrest of 30-year-old GUADALUPE GARCIA JR. (pictured).

The arrest is the result of an investigation which began on May 10, 2025, when a concerned neighbor called the sheriff's office to report that two dogs were being neglected at a home on 1052 Hamilton Street, Immokalee. According to the affidavit, the neighbor stated that one of the two dogs was deceased, and she was worried about the welfare of the other dog. The neighbor further stated that she had provided food and water to the live dog.

The complaint was passed on to Collier County Domestic Animal Services/Code Enforcement- Animal Control.

The following day Animal Control along with deputies went to the given location and made contact with the reporting party who confirmed that the live dog as well as the deceased dog were still in the backyard of the residence.

Officers attempted to make contact with the residents of the home in question, but they did not receive an answer.

The owner of the neighboring property allowed officers to enter their property so they could see the dogs in the other home.

In the report, the deputy wrote that in the backyard of the home on 1052 Hamilton Street he saw a small plastic fencing made into a rectangle. The fencing had holes in the panels making it possible for the deputy to see inside of it. The enclosure had no roof, effectively depriving the dogs of shelter or shade. At the time of the officers’ inspection, at 9:22 a.m., the enclosure was “in direct sunlight,” stated the affidavit.

Officers saw one small dog who was barking and sadly, another dog was observed laying on her right side and not moving.

The sheriff's office identified as Ally the 2-year-old black and white Boston Terrier who was deceased, and Blackie the 5-pound terrier puppy, approximately 6-7 months old, who was still alive.

Although officers spotted a bowl in the enclosure, they could not tell whether it had food and water or if it was empty.

At that point, based on the witness' reports and the officers’ observations the decision was made to intervene and remove the surviving dog, Blackie.

While a search warrant was being requested, one of the residents of 1052 Hamilton Street, GARCIA, arrived home and told officers that his wife was inside and did not know why she had not answered the door.

Once the warrant was obtained and served, deputies questioned GARCIA about the dogs and he said that he took care of them and that every night he gave them food and water.

According to the affidavit, GARCIA told deputies that he kept Ally and Blackie out in the pen during the day but hadn’t brought them in last night because their cage was dirty and he hadn't had time to clean it.

A deputy then asked GARCIA when he checked on the dogs last and GARCIA answered that he last checked on them on the early morning of Saturday, May 10, 2025.

The deputy rightfully pointed out that Ally had been deceased since Saturday. At that point, GARCIA changed his answer and stated that he went outside to make sure the dogs had food and water, but he did not check on them.

GARCIA agreed to surrender both Ally and Blackie.

A necropsy performed on Ally determined she “likely died from heatstroke,” said the sheriff’s office. Its press release further stated: “Histopathology did not reveal any toxins or diseases that contributed to the death of the animal.”

The veterinarian who examined both furvictims reported that “Blackie would have suffered an unnecessarily painful death as a result of the heatstroke.”

The investigation determined that probable cause had been established for GARCIA’s arrest.

He was taken into custody on September 2, 2025, and transported to the Immokalee Jail Center for booking and processing. He was released the same day after posting bond.

GARCIA is facing one felony count of aggravated animal cruelty and two misdemeanor counts of confinement of an animal without sufficient food or water.

Court records show that GARCIA is expected to appear in court for his arraignment on September 29, 2025, at 8:30 a.m.

Collier County Sheriff Kevin J. Rambosk said in a written statement: “Animal cruelty has no place in Collier County. We will continue to hold offenders accountable and make sure no animal suffers needlessly in our community.”

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Voice For Us Disclaimer: This story is sourced from the press release by the Collier County Sheriff’s Office as well as details from the affidavit. 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.

GARCIA’s mugshot share from the Collier County Sheriff’s Office

For more animal cruelty stories, please click here. Thank you!