RICHARD STEVEN TAYLOR arrested after a bloody dead cat was found in a trash can on his property

- Florida, USA -

The Walton County Sheriff’s Office arrested 64-year-old RICHARD STEVEN TAYLOR (pictured), of DeFuniak Springs.

On July 29, 2025, deputies were dispatched to a residence on W Violet Lane to investigate a report of animal abuse.

According to the press release by the sheriff's office, a neighbor reported a foul odor coming from a roadside trash can, and said they had seen several cat traps nearby. The neighbor added they had also found a dead cat in the trash can.

Responding deputies found two armed and baited traps outside the property’s fence and discovered a bloodied dead cat in a bag inside the trash can, showing a large swollen injury to his/her tiny head.

Since deputies were unable to access the property, they contacted the homeowner, TAYLOR, via phone.

Deputies asked him about the traps, and according to the press release, TAYLOR admitted to placing traps to catch feral cats. He said he had been doing it for the last ten years and said he “kills the ***damn things when [he] catches them.”

Deputies asked TAYLOR to come outside to talk to them, but he became aggressive, confrontational, cursed at deputies, and made threats.

Deputies reported that TAYLOR described how he was allowed to do trap and kill cats since they are “pests.”

Deputies attempted to explain to TAYLOR that he was being placed under arrest and although they ordered him to exit the fence, TAYLOR refused several times, “stating he wouldn't come out until he got to put some clothes on (he was in his underwear)”, stated the release.

Eventually, deputies were able to handcuff TAYLOR. He was charged with aggravated animal cruelty causing death, threatening a first responder with physical harm, and obstruction without violence. TAYLOR was transported to the Walton County Jail, and a meager bond was set at $21,000 which TAYLOR was able to post.

Court records show that TAYLOR is scheduled to appear at Walton County Circuit Court on September 16, 2025, at 8:30 a.m.

I do not know the exact number of cats who have been killed, and I do not know how exactly the cat who was found in the trash can died. It’s unknown whether other animals were harmed or killed or whether TAYLOR had previous complaints. I have reached out to Walton County Sheriff Michael Adkinson Jr. to ask all these questions but at the time of writing, I have not received a response.

I took the liberty of naming the Voiceless Victim Bijou for the tribute image. Should his/her given name be made public, I will rectify it accordingly.

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

TAYLOR’s mugshot shared from the Walton County Sheriff's Office

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KESHAUN MICHAEL WILLIAMS arrested for violently throwing his girlfriend’s cat against a brick wall

- Florida, USA -

The Bradenton Police Department arrested 26-year-old KESHAUN MICHAEL WILLIAMS (pictured).

On July 7, 2025, officers responded to the Bradenton Veterinary Hospital on 1324 17^th Avenue West in reference to a possible animal cruelty case.

Officers learned from staff that a Devon Rex cat had been brought in with facial injuries consistent with animal abuse.

The cat’s guardian said that when she had returned home from work, she found blood on the kitchen floor and found her cat with apparent injuries to his/her mouth.

She then added that her boyfriend, WILLIAMS, was “very open about not wanting the cat in the home, and he has a history of violence towards the cat”, stated the affidavit.

According to the woman, while she was taking her cat to the car to take him/her to the hospital, WILLIAMS grabbed the cat from her and violently threw the feline against a brick wall.

The woman said the cat was not moving but she was able to take the poor soul to the Bradenton Veterinary Hospital.

The vet who examined the furvictim reported impacted type trauma to his/her mouth, causing bleeding from the gums, and a laceration to the left front paw pad. Moreover, the vet noted that the cat was dazed and disoriented at the time of the examination. According to the vet’s report, the cat’s injuries were consistent with blunt force trauma.

Before WILLIAMS was arrested on July 9, 2025, the police helped the girlfriend find a safe place to stay and the cat was returned to her.

The police said in their press release: “We know that people who hurt animals don’t stop with animals. That’s why our officers first ensured the young woman had a safe place to go. We then arrested Williams for animal cruelty.”

I have reached out to the Bradenton Police Department to request additional information about the furvictim, but I was told the woman was uncomfortable releasing information as well as pictures.

WILLIAMS was booked into the Manatee County Jail on one first-degree misdemeanor count of animal cruelty, punishable with up to ONLY one year behind bars.

He was released from jail on July 11, 2025, after posting bond and according to court records, he is scheduled to appear in Manatee County Court on September 8, 2025, at 8:00 a.m. before Judge Melissa Ann Gould.

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Voice For Us Disclaimer: This story is sourced from the press release by the Bradenton Police Department as well as details from the probable cause 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.

WILLIAMS’ mugshot shared from the Bradenton Police Department

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SPCA of Tampa Bay pleads guilty to animal cruelty charges

- Florida, USA -

FOX 13 reports that on Friday, August 29, 2025, the SPCA of Tampa Bay has pleaded guilty to animal cruelty charges.

The charges stemmed from an incident that dates back to July 2025, involving a male pig named Waddles.

As reported by FOX 13, Waddles was in the care of SPCA of Tampa Bay when a video that went viral on Tik Tok showed him “with burned and blistered skin.”

“Advocates accused the SPCA of leaving Waddles out in the scorching hot sun, which caused his skin to burn, crack and bleed,” reported FOX 13.

At the time, following the allegations, Pinellas County Animal Services cited the SPCA of Tampa Bay for animal cruelty.

According to FOX 13, Martha Boden, the SPCA president, told the news agency that when Waddles arrived at their facility, he was already suffering from “preexisting skin issues.”

Spectrum News reports that Waddles was surrendered by his guardians on July 10, 2025.

Boden went on to tell FOX 13 that they provided proper housing, food, enrichment and veterinary care and showed the reporter “the pasture and barn they had for Waddles and the mudholes they had created for him.”

Reportedly, BODEN told FOX 13: “We feel really good about the way we were able to help him stabilize.”

From Boden’s standpoint the information released by the public has created a false narrative of Waddles’ care, making the allegations false and said the SPCA of Tampa Bay intended to fight the citations. However, court records show that the SPCA of Tampa Bay entered a guilty plea.

The nonprofit Pork Butt Pastures Rescue, run by Kelly Dill, took Waddles from the SPCA and happily announced that he's now made a full recovery.

Kelly told FOX 13 she saw Waddles listed on the SPCA’s website and when she went to visit him she was shocked by his condition. Kelly explained: “When I got there to see him, I was absolutely horrified at the condition he was in. He was raw and bloody, with no water — just out in the hot sun, roasting. If I hadn’t taken him, it would’ve been death for sure — within 24 to 48 hours, he would no longer be here.”

According to FOX 13, a police report about animal cruelty has also been filed with the Largo Police Department.

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Voice For Us Disclaimer: This story is sourced from FOX 13. Please note that details may be removed or new information added should updates become available.

Pictures shared from Pork Butt Pastures Rescue and Spectrum News

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