ANTONIA MONTOURI and her son FRANCO MONTOURI JR. face charges in connection with the horrific abuse of a dog who then had to be euthanized

- Virginia, USA -

On October 9, 2025, officers with the Vinton Police Department responded to 625 Pine Street in Vinton, regarding a report of possible animal cruelty.   

On arrival, officers found a dog, named Max, who appeared to have sustained injuries and was in need of veterinary care.

The dog’s guardian, 60-year-old ANTONIA MONTOURI, voluntarily relinquished ownership of the furvictim to Virginia German Shepherd Rescue. Max was sadly euthanized due to the sustained injuries and severe maggot infestations.

According to the press release by Vinton Police provided to Voice For Us, on October 16, 2025, MONTOURI was charged with one misdemeanor count of animal cruelty.

When I reached out to the Vinton Police Department to request MONTOURI’s mugshot, I was told that “she was not physically arrested” and that the “magistrate issued a permitted warrant with a scheduled court date, and she was served on that warrant accordingly”.

As the investigation into the case progressed, the Vinton Police Department later charged and arrested ANTONIA MONTOURI’s son, 24-year-old FRANCO MONTOURI JR. (pictured).

He was booked into the Roanoke County Jail and, at the time of writing, records show he was released after posting bond.

According to court records, ANTONIA MONTOURI is scheduled to appear in Roanoke County General District Court on December 15, 2025, for her arraignment at 10:00 a.m.

ANTONIA MONTOURI’s other son, Giacomo Montouri, operates New York Pizza in Vinton and he said that his restaurant and employees have been unfairly targeted following the animal abuse charges against his mother and brother.

Community members rallied around the restaurant to protest the animal cruelty case and continue to call for boycotts against the restaurant.

###

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

Mugshot provided to Voice For Us by the Roanoke County Sheriff’s Office.

Max’s pictures shared from WSET

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

LUCIO GOMEZ GARCIA arrested in connection with an animal cruelty and animal fighting case

- Virginia, USA -

The Henry County Sheriff's Office announced the arrest of 39-year-old LUCIO GOMEZ GARCIA (pictured).

On October 23, 2025, deputies with the Henry County Sheriff's Office Animal Control Division responded to a property on 745 Giles Road in Axton, after receiving a 911 call about the welfare of several dogs on the property.

On arrival, deputies saw a large brown and white horse running loose in nearby yards and along the road. The horse led deputies to a small barn area and a garage where deputies found several goats, roosters, and four Great Pyrenees dogs.

Deputies said the dogs were in poor condition and none of them had clean water. One of the dogs was found lying on the ground with severe hair loss, open sores, and no shelter.

Two other dogs were so thin that their ribs and tailbones were showing. Additionally, these two dogs had skin sores “likely caused by fighting,” stated the release by the sheriff’s office.

Several of the goats were also very thin, and four of them appeared to be pregnant.

A local veterinarian who was called to the scene confirmed that the dogs were “underweight and suffering from skin problems,” and that the goats were in poor condition.

Four cats who were also found on the property were determined to be in need of care.

Deputies then found twenty-eight roosters tied to blue barrels and no access to water. Many of them had sharpened spurs and visible injuries. According to the press release, deputies “found supplements and other items that appeared to be related to the mistreatment of birds.”

Deputies said they obtained a search warrant for the property and upon searching the home and surrounding buildings, they discovered:

·        73 knives

·        Leg tape

·        Gaffs

·        Other materials that can be attributed to the mistreatment of animals

GARCIA was arrested and charged with one count of animal fighting and twenty-eight counts of animal cruelty.

At the time of writing records show GARCIA is being held at the Henry County Adult Detention Center with no bond. He is scheduled to appear at Henry County General District Court on October 31, 2025, for his arraignment at 8:15 a.m.

Henry County Sheriff Wayne Davis said the investigation is ongoing and more charges are expected after deputies continued to find more roosters and knives while attempting to remove animals from the property on October 25, 2025.

In a written statement Sheriff Davis said: “This was a heartbreaking scene of neglect and cruelty. Our Animal Control deputies, investigators, and veterinarian partners worked together to make sure these animals were removed from harm and are now getting the care they need. We will continue to take every case of animal abuse seriously and make sure those responsible are held accountable.”

###

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

GARCIA’s mugshot shared from the Henry County Sheriff’s Office

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

CUPID DECHAIRD SEYMOUR, owner of Cupid’s Doghouse, found guilty, again, of cruelty to animals

- Alabama, USA -

On September 28, 2024, Ms. Karen Black enrolled her 4-month-old Chesapeake Bay Retriever puppy named Chloe, at Cupid's Doghouse, a dog obedience training facility in Verbena owned by 50-year-old CUPID DECHAIRD SEYMOUR (pictured).

Three weeks after Chloe was boarded with SEYMOUR, on October 19, 2024, SEYMOUR called Ms. Black to inform her that Chloe had died.

Chilton County District Attorney CJ Robinson said in a press release that a necropsy was performed on Chloe at the Deerfoot Animal Clinic and results showed that Chloe had no food in her GI tract.

Ms. Black rightfully pressed charges against SEYMOUR and in November 2024, he was arrested and charged with misdemeanor cruelty to animals

On April 3, 2025, SEYMOUR appeared in Chilton County Circuit Court. He was found guilty and was sentenced to one year in the county jail, with 180 days imposed and two years of probation. SEYMOUR was also ordered to pay $3,500 in restitution and a $1,000 fine.

With regard to the necropsy results that showed Chloe had no food in her GI tract, a veterinarian called by prosecutors testified that it would take three to five days without food for that to happen.

SEYMOUR then appealed his conviction, and the case was retried in Chilton County the week of October 20, 2025. DA Robinson announced that SEYMOUR was again found guilty by a jury.

Chilton County Circuit Judge Patrick Pinkston is to set to sentence SEYMOUR on November 13, 2025, at 8:30 a.m.

###

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

Chloe’s picture shared from Angela Austin Thompson

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