EBONY NYCOLE JOHNSON and TELESFOR IZIAH LOVATO arrested for allowing two of their dogs to starve to death

- Arizona, USA -

The Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office arrested 26-year-old EBONY NYCOLE JOHNSON and 26-year-old TELESFOR IZIAH LOVATO (both pictured).

On June 21, 2025, the couple brought two female Goldendoodles, Nala and Star, to a BluePearl Animal Hospital location because the dogs were so malnourished and unable to walk on their own.

According to the press release by the sheriff’s office provided to Voice For Us, Nala weighed just under 17 pounds and Star weighed just over 21 pounds. Veterinary staff at the hospital explained that the average normal weight for a Goldendoodle should be about 66 pounds.

Although vets tried to revive Nala, she sadly passed away.

JOHNSON and LOVATO told the veterinarian they had a third Goldendoodle who had died at their apartment earlier in the day.

The couple went on to say “they had previously been homeless and would only feed the dogs when they could afford it”, stated the release.

The veterinarian gave the couple some dog food for Star and then contacted the sheriff’s office.

On June 23, 2025, Animal Crimes Detectives with the sheriff's office assumed the investigation and responded to the couple’s residence. JOHNSON and LOVATO surrendered Star, the only surviving furvictim of this tragedy.

Dr. Bernard Mangone evaluated Star and reported that the poor soul “was severely emaciated with sever[e] muscle wasting and no noticeable fat”, stated the release.

Dr. Mangone also performed a necropsy on Nala and concluded she died from starvation.

Star is now in the care of the Maricopa County Sheriff Office’s Animal Safe Haven (MASH) unit until she can be adopted.

On July 2, 2025, JOHNSON and LOVATO were arrested and charged with four counts of cruelty to animals, with two being felonies.

Maricopa County Sheriff Jerry Sheridan said in a written statement: “Our pets depend on us for love, care and protection. I want to make it clear that we will not tolerate any form of animal abuse or neglect in our community. Every animal deserves to be treated with kindness and respect, and those who choose to harm them will be held accountable.”

The name of the furvictim who died at the couple’s residence was not released. I took the liberty of naming him/her River 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 Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office provided to Voice For Us. 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.

Mugshots and Star’s picture provided to Voice For Us by the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office

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Video: The arrest - Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office

CEDRIC LEONARD TAYLOR arrested after five malnourished dogs were rescued from severe states of neglect at a Bexar County home

- Texas, USA -

See something, say something!

A humane human being saw something horrific, spoke up, and five innocent dogs have been rescued from a horrible situation.

On June 25, 2025, a delivery driver alerted the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office and Animal Control to the condition of dogs at a home in the 7800 block of Sarepto.

Two days later, an Animal Control Officer responded to the address to investigate and found multiple dogs on the property who appeared to be severely neglected. The ACO reported back that the dogs were “in severe states of neglect—with visible rib and hip bones, signs of malnutrition, and no food or water in sight.”

Although authorities attempted repeatedly to contact the home’s residents, their efforts were unsuccessful. Given the severe conditions of the furvictims and absence of proper care, an animal seizure warrant was executed at the home on July 2, 2025.

The sheriff's office said in a press release that the warrant was executed in coordination with Bexar County Animal Control and the Animal Crimes Enforcement Unit (ACE). “What deputies encountered was disturbing”, stated the release.

Officials made contact with 32-year-old CEDRIC LEONARD TAYLOR (pictured), who identified himself as a “part-owner” and “caretaker”.

According to the sheriff’s office, when TAYLOR was questioned about the dogs, he claimed that the cause of their appearance was due to “worms”. TAYLOR went on to claim that he had treated them but was unable to provide a single shred of documentation.

TAYLOR told deputies that he spent most of the month out of town and that he left the dogs in the care of a relative. Where did I hear that before?

TAYLOR confirmed to deputies he was responsible for providing food and water for the dogs, but he couldn’t prove that the dogs were being properly cared for.

Deputies arrested TAYLOR on site and charged him with animal cruelty to non-livestock animals. TAYLOR was released the following day after posting bond.

Five innocent dogs were thankfully rescued from the property and are now in the care of Bexar County Animal Control.

The sheriff’s office said the dogs will remain with Animal Control pending a hearing before the Bexar County Precinct 4 Justice of the Peace. TAYLOR’s arraignment is slated for August 4, 2025.

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Voice For Us Disclaimer: This story is sourced from the press release by the Bexar 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 provided to Voice For Us by the Bexar County Sheriff's Office.

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LONEY LEROY GARRETT arrested – Thirty five dogs rescued from his property and the bones and skulls of four deceased animals discovered as a result of an investigation

- South Carolina, USA -

Berkeley County Sheriff Duane Lewis announced the arrest of 77-year-old LONEY LEROY GARRETT (pictured).

On June 22, 2025, an investigation into multiple violations involving the care and treatment of animals led deputies to GARRETT’s residence in Goose Creek.

Deputies discovered thirty-five dogs living in “deplorable and unsanitary conditions”, according to the sheriff’s press release. The poor souls were found confined in feces-filled crates with urine-soaked wooden boards. They had no access to clean drinking water or adequate food, and their water buckets were filled with dirty, feces-contaminated liquid.

After executing a search warrant, deputies further discovered “the bones and skulls of four deceased animals, including two skulls buried just below the surface”.

Investigators learned that GARRETT had brought the dogs to South Carolina from Tennessee without the required health certificates or proof of rabies vaccinations.

The sheriff’s office said none of the dogs were found to be properly inoculated for rabies.

The furvictims were removed from the property. Berkeley County Animal Control and the Charleston Animal Society are caring for them and providing veterinary care.

GARRETT was charged with thirty-five counts of ill treatment of animals, thirty-five counts of no rabies inoculations, and four counts of improper burial.

GARRETT’s son is also being charged with one count of ill treatment of animals.

Sheriff Lewis said in a statement: “These were not just violations of the law, these were acts of cruelty and neglect that put both animals and our community at risk. Our Animal Cruelty Investigator, along with Berkeley County Animal Control and the Charleston Animal Society spent hours at the property to rescue the dogs that were in poor living conditions.”

The investigation is ongoing.

On a separate note, WCSC reports that in August 2014, GARRETT pleaded guilty to ten counts of animal cruelty in connection with a 2013 incident. Officials had found at GARRETT’s property forty-five dogs in poor condition and the remains of two-hundred dogs.

Originally, GARRETT faced forty-three counts of animal cruelty, but thirty-three counts were dropped. GARRETT was convicted in 2015 and sentenced to two years in prison and five years of probation.

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

GARRETT’s mugshot shared from the Berkeley County Sheriff’s Office

Pictures shared from Charleston Animal Society

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