PETITION TARGET: St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office and the State Attorney for Florida’s Seventh Judicial Circuit
Dozens of tiny, emaciated, and sickly Chihuahuas were allegedly abandoned along a dangerous St. Johns County road in Florida, according to People and Action News Jax. As rescuers rushed to save them, at least 19 dogs were recovered alive, while three reportedly died after being hit by cars and others are still missing.
The surviving dogs were thin, malnourished, and covered in fleas. Some were suffering from skin issues, and rescuers said several females may have recently had litters or could be pregnant. Rescuers on scene described the situation as a nightmare, with frightened dogs needing urgent care after being left in heartbreaking conditions.
No animal should be discarded on a roadside, left hungry, sick, and exposed to traffic. These innocent dogs deserved protection, veterinary care, and safety, not abandonment and suffering.
Sign our petition urging the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office to fully investigate this case and State Attorney R.J. Larizza to prosecute any responsible individual(s) to the fullest extent of the law, and to seek penalties that help prevent future suffering, including reimbursement for the dogs’ veterinary care, court-ordered psychological intervention where appropriate, and a ban on possessing animals.
A local rescue is offering a $5,000 reward for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the individual(s) responsible for abandoning these dogs on the roadside. Send tips to the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office via email at [email protected] or call 904-209-1526. Be sure to reference case number SJSO26OFF004605.
