- Florida, USA -
On March 5, 2023, Deputy Sheriff Megan Noel, with the Collier County Sheriff's Office, was advised by Dr. Morton of the Naples Humane Society, that two male Cocker Spaniels had been brought in by 59-years-old NICKEY COTHRAN (pictured).
According to the incident report, COTHRAN stated he was unable to care for the dogs and fled the humane Society.
Dr. Morton advised the dogs, named Henry and Percy, appeared to be neglected.
Ms. Noel then requested a patrol unit respond to the Humane Society to conduct and document the preliminary investigation.
On March 7, 2023, Ms. Noel went to the Humane Society where Dr. Morton provided her with a summary of the incident. Ms. Noel learned that when COTHRAN dropped Henry and Percy at the Humane Society, he fled without signing surrender paperwork.
Since Percy was in need of immediate medical intervention, due to several conditions, Ms. Noel went to COTHRAN’s home, on 3625 Boca Ciega Drive in Naples and explained to him that if he wanted to surrender Henry and Percy, he needed to sign surrender paperwork.
According to the report, COTHRAN “excitedly uttered, ‘I know they were in bad shape....I feel bad...Their care just got away from me’.”
On March 10, 2023, Ms. Noel received a medical report by Dr. Morton regarding Henry and Percy stating:
“Henry passed away before any medical intervention could occur by HSN medical team. Examination of his body revealed severe matting of his coat which covered the majority of his body. By my estimation, the flea infestation numbered in the thousands. It is likely that he had not been groomed, or even brushed, in a year or longer. Henry also had evidence of chronic otitis extrema (ear infection). His remaining incisors were affected by marked dental disease. Internally, the most significant finding was a perforation (hole) through his stomach wall, resulting in the spilling of gastric contents into the abdomen. When not treated with immediate surgery, this condition will lead to severe pain and rapid death.
Percy was found to be suffering from multiple unmanaged health conditions. His coat was severely matted all over and he also had a severe flea infestation. The degree and chronicity of his flea infestation and blood loss was also noted in his bloodwork, where he was shown to have a significant iron deficiency anemia. The matting was most notable on his ears, where the margins of his ear flaps were not able to be accurately identified. Given the status of his coat, it is likely that he also has not been groomed, or even brushed, for a year or longer. There was a chronic, bacterial otitis extrema which has resulted in inflammatory masses in the canals. Percy will likely require surgery to remove his ear canals due to the duration and severity of the infection. Both eyes are affected by glaucoma (abnormal high pressure within eyes) and he is completely blind from the condition. Glaucoma is painful in its acute and chronic stages. His right eye is deficient in tear production, keratoconjunctivitis sicca (dry eye). Dry-eye also results in discomfort when not appropriately managed. He will require bilateral enucleation (surgical removal of both eyes) in order to cure these ocular conditions and take away his pain.
On the morning under two pounds of hair was removed. This represented approximately 6% of his body weight and took about two hours to complete.
Both Henry and Percy suffered severe, daily, chronic pain and discomfort for what is suspected to be a period of a year or possibly longer.
All of the chronic conditions found would have been preventable or manageable with routine veterinary and grooming care.”
Given all the evidence collected during the investigation, Ms. Noel found probable cause for the arrest of COTHRAN on two counts of aggravated animal cruelty.
On April 4, 2023, COTHRAN was booked into the Naples Jail Center where he is being held on a $100,000 bond. If he is to be released, he is not able to “own” or come near any animals at all.
COTHRAN will be back in court on May 1, 2023.
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COTHRAN’s mugshot shared from the Collier County Sheriff's Office.
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