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EDMUND CHRISTOPHER JAMES found guilty of animal cruelty in the preventable death of his dog

- Florida, USA -


State Attorney Dennis Ward for the Sixteenth Judicial Circuit announced that 69-year-old EDMUND CHRISTOPHER JAMES (pictured), has been found guilty of animal cruelty, a first-degree misdemeanor.


The four-day trial, presided over by Judge James W. Morgan III, culminated in a unanimous guilty verdict after less than four hours of jury deliberation.


The conviction stems from an incident that happened on July 5, 2024, when JAMES left his 5-month-old chocolate Labrador retriever named Jasmine locked in a hot car for several hours on his property on Aviation Boulevard with no food or water.

When eventually JAMES found Jasmine suffering from heat-related distress, he tried to cool her down with a hose and then took her to Keys Animal Hospital in Marathon.


Jasmine arrived in critical condition and presented symptoms consistent with severe heatstroke, including neurological distress, elevated body temperature, and swelling of the brain.

Although veterinary staff managed to stabilize Jasmine by administrating IV fluids and oxygen, they advised JAMES that Jasmine needed advanced treatment and urgently recommended she be transferred immediately to a facility in Ramrod Key.


Instead, JAMES took Jasmine back home where her condition worsened leading to multiple seizures. The following day Jasmine passed away after she suffered needlessly because of JAMES’ reckless disregard for her precious life.


On July 9, 2024, the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office arrested JAMES and charged him with animal cruelty.


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Voice For Us Disclaimer: Please note that details may be removed or new information added should updates become available.


JAMES’ mugshot shared from the Monroe County Sheriff's Office




 
 
 

JOSEPH LEE LAMONTAGNE caught on video punching, kicking, and striking two dogs with metal objects

- Florida, USA -


On November 19, 2024, deputies with the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office along with Animal Enforcement Officer Rowe responded to an address in eastern Brooksville after receiving a complaint of animal cruelty, involving two dogs, which was captured on video.


Upon arrival, officers made contact with a witness who said that two dogs “had been beaten by their owner on multiple occasions”, stated the media release by the sheriff’s office.


The witness was able to show officers a video depicting some of the abuse inflicted upon the defenseless dogs.

The 45-minute video showed 57-year-old JOSEPH LEE LAMONTAGNE (pictured), “repeatedly punching, kicking, and striking both dogs with what appeared to be metal objects consistent with both a metal pole and metal pan.”


The sheriff's office identified the furvictims as a female Cane Corso named Hailie and a male Cane Corso named Alger.


Officers could hear Hailie and Alger whimpering in pain while trying to escape the brutal attacks. However, LAMONTAGNE “would drag the dogs back and begin beating them over and over again”, said the sheriff’s office.

At one point, the video showed LAMONTAGNE beating Alger while the helpless soul was tethered to a post unable to escape.


After contacting Hernando County Animal Services, officers learned that LAMONTAGNE had adopted Alger and on November 5, 2024, he even requested to foster Hailie.

The sheriff’s office said: “Thankfully, Lamontagne only had possession of the dogs for 14 days.”


Still, those innocent souls were left in the hands of that savage and NO animals should suffer, not even for a second!


Officers then made contact with LAMONTAGNE at his residence and in the backyard, they found Hailie and Alger with no food, water, or shelter.

Animal Enforcement Officer Rowe took custody of the Voiceless Victims. As she was putting them into the transport vehicle, she noticed that Alger “walked with a severe limp to his right front leg.” LAMONTAGNE surrendered Alger.


I have emailed the sheriff’s office to inquire about the furbabies’ well-being and if I get a response I will post an update.


LAMONTAGNE was arrested at the scene and charged with two felony counts of animal cruelty.

The savage admitted to hitting Hailie and Alger with a leash due to their “previous actions”, stated the release. However, despite video evidence, he denied ever kicking, punching, or striking the dogs with a metal object.

At the time of writing, online arrest records show that the savage is being held into the Hernando County Detention Center on a $5,000 bond.


As explained in the release, the County Attorney’s Office is being consulted regarding a petition to determine fitness, which may result in LAMONTAGNE’s “ability to own animals in the future.”


I think lifetime banning should be applied automatically to animal abusers!


In a statement, Hernando County Sheriff Al Nienhuis said: “Felony animal cruelty is not just a crime against an individual animal—it’s a crime against our community’s values. The severity of these offenses cannot be overstated. Inflicting pain and suffering on innocent creatures is a clear indication of a deep disregard for life itself. As sheriff, I am committed to holding perpetrators accountable to the fullest extent of the law, because such cruelty has no place in a just society. We must take a firm stand against those who harm animals, ensuring that the punishment fits the gravity of their actions.”


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


LAMONTAGNE’s mugshot shared from the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office





 
 
 

NICHOLAS PAUL LITTLEJOHN arrested for neglecting and failing to provide food to two dogs

- Georgia, USA -


Floyd County Animal Control Sgt. Kelan Freeman charged 38-year-old NICHOLAS PAUL LITTLEJOHN (pictured), with animal cruelty after two dogs were found severely neglected at a residence on Wheeling Drive in Rome.


The affidavit obtained by Voice For Us identified the dogs as Chupacabra and Phantom.


Last month, Chupacabra and Phantom were found with a body condition of 2 out of 9, on the Purina Body Condition Scale. They suffered from muscle atrophy with their ribs, lumbar vertebrae and pelvic bones easily visible.


According to the affidavit, Chupacabra had a heart murmur, Grade 5 out of 6, with a palpable thrill, most likely severe mitral valve disease.

The furvictim was suffering from severe gingivitis and dental tartar with the strong possibility of requiring extraction of several teeth. Additionally, Chupacabra has bilateral nuclear sclerosis.


Phantom had skin sunken in around the ribs.


LITTLEJOHN was arrested on November 22, 2024, and charged with two felony counts of aggravated cruelty to animals.


The affidavit did not contain additional information about the dogs, such as their age, breed, and gender, so I emailed Katheryn Walters, Director of Public Animal Welfare Services (P.A.W.S.), hoping to obtain some answers, some pictures, and the dogs’ current well-being.

As usual, I did not get a response from her. However, I was able to learn that Chupacabra and Phantom are in the P.A.W.S. facility and are doing very well.


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Disclaimer: This story is sourced from the affidavit provided to Voice For Us by the Floyd 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.


LITTLEJOHN’s mugshot provided to Voice For Us by the Floyd County Sheriff's Office



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