Max, a beautiful and intelligent dog, spent eight years of his life chained to a tree, suffering through hot Mississippi summers and freezing winters without shelter.
When Doll Stanley from In Defense of Animals and a sheriff’s deputy from Montgomery County followed up on a tip of the dog’s situation and arrived on scene, they found a scared, cold Max with no water, food, or shelter.
It was 34 degrees Fahrenheit and raining. There were holes all over the yard where Max had tried to dig his way to warmth since the only place he could hide was in the mud under a car.
Max’s collar was so tight that, combined with the heaviness of the chain, he was left with marks and nearly raw skin. He had scars on his face from other dogs coming into the yard to fight him.
Stanley left a dog house with Max to provide shelter until legal action could take place. Finally, they were able to rescue Max and remove his chain, taking him into the rescue so he can start his new life with people who will take proper care of him.
Max’s “guardian” Vernell Flowers claims that he fed the dog. At some point, Max was taught to shake and sit. This bare minimum of care and attention is not enough, Stanley said. Max, and all animals, deserve so much more.
Flowers was charged and found guilty of animal cruelty under the Mississippi Dog and Cat Pet Protection Law. He was given a 90-day, suspended sentence — meaning he won’t serve jail time unless he violates the court conditions — and fined $1,000, which is the maximum fines. Flowers also is not allowed to have a dog in his possession for two years.
What’s New…
This sentence was too, light! Stricter sentences needed!
Max’s “guardian” Vernell Flowers receives
suspended sentence for the cruelty inflicted for 8 years is a travesty. Can’t own a pet for 2 years oh goody what a win against animal cruelty. This is truly a disappointment.
The monster who did this should have got a stronger punishment than that!! Should have been gaoled and banned from ever keeping a pet.
8 years is a long time – why did this take so long? remote people living in the middle of nowhere getting away with things they should not be getting away with. This is another failure for justice and a human failing his responsibility to a dog, companion and friend. So sad that laws are not more strict by now.
Wonderful save! Thank you!
We are their voice how could this have gone on free years it nothing he gets a little fine and he gets his suspension no jail time this is that right we have to change the laws we have to change the people that are enforcing the laws let’s do it we have to be their voice let’s do this together let’s do it somebody out there help
I can’t believe they let this go on for eight years before trying to do something. Whether it’s the person who knew it was eight years going on, or the system letting it go on for so long. It always says on these petitions, cruelty won’t be tolerated and will be punished by the fullest extent of the law but looks like to me, that’s exactly what the laws be doing, tolerating it. When you let a person off with a slap on the wrist and just a fine, that’s pretty much tolerating it, to me. That’s all these pieces of crap ever get for their crime. It’s not until an animal is on death’s door, that the law finally attempts to follow up on a complaint by someone and do something (not much, if anything). These animals suffer for months and years, with people knowing about the neglect and abuse, but do nothing until the animal has gotten extremely ill and/or has died. I blame the lawmakers as well as the abusers. They are all pathetic excuses for human beings. I sign these petitions in the hope that things will change and get better for all animals but I don’t hold my breath that they are in any hurry to make that happen. Animal are suffering and will continue to suffer, needlessly because of laxed laws. Therefore I am for street justice until that has changed. If someone sees an abused animal outside, I am all for them taking that animal and providing it with help or getting it to some help. If someone sees an animal being kicked, beaten, abused physically in any way by someone, I am all for someone or a group of people stepping in, taking that dog to safety and beating the crap out of that abuser. I am always going to be on the side of those defenseless, vulnerable animals. Animals are loving, kind entities, here for a purpose. People are despicable.
Good morning. Thank you for rescuing this pup. Most of all thank you to all your staff for all the work they do all year round
NOT ENOUGH !!! NEVER BE ALLOWED ANY ANIMAL!!! PRISON FOR THIS MONSTER!!! NEXT WILL BE A CHILD!!!
THEY ARE ANGELIC HEROES–THE PEOPLE WHO RESCUE ANIMALS FROM ABUSE AND NEGLECT.
Please stop torturing animals
Justice now!
Mississippi, why are you allowing animal abuser’s to go free with no real punishment. Find some Empathy for abused animals.
Max needs his previous owner to be properly punished, not a silly suspended sentence. Jail time! Eight years is a life time for some dogs. How very sad.
Scumbag Vernell Flowers deserves a long prison sentence,
community service, and a heftier fine !
SWiFT + Full JUSTiCE for MAX, the Victim Dog !
What the hell, this brainless, heartless creep could have a dog in 2 years??? What if that was a mistreated child, could he adopt one in 2 years??? And 8 years until someone saw and say something???? I’m so disgusted with humans and the cruel weak laws in all countries. I’m glad this sweetheart will be love and care by real humans but if you let this idiot get away with a slap on the hand, this will happen again and again.