Case Details

Pit bull puppies, adult dogs neglected
Gifford, FL (US)

Incident Date: Tuesday, Feb 27, 2007
County: Indian River
Local Map: available
Disposition: Convicted
Charges: Misdemeanor

Abusers/Suspects:
» Travis Jackson
» Jeane Jackson

Case Updates: 4 update(s) available

Case ID: 10962
Classification: Neglect / Abandonment
Animal: dog (pit-bull)
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Eight�pit bull puppies and three adult dogs, also pit bulls, were confiscated Feb. 27 from sun-drenched metal cages outside a home in the 3800 block of 18th Avenue in Gifford.

The 4- to 6-week-old puppies were together in one unclean, 3-foot by 3-foot cage, officials said. One of the adults was hot and panting with swollen eyes, said Jerry Dixon, animal control officer with Indian River County Animal Control.

Ilka Daniel, investigator with the Humane Society of Vero Beach and Indian River County, said, "Conditions were deplorable."

On March 15, the dogs' owners Travis and Jeane Jackson each were arrested on 22 charges of unlawful confinement and cruelty to animals. Collectively Travis, 27, and Jeane, 24, face 8 charges each, two for each animal. Each charge is a first-degree misdemeanor punishable by up to a year in jail and a $5,000 fine, Dixon said.

Because of the charges, Humane Society officials wouldn't be more specific about describing the animals' original conditions. Daniel did say the dogs are in the care of a veterinarian and in an isolation area.

According to Dixon, the couple was planning to sell the puppies for income.

"The mother (dog) was the worst," Dixon said. "She had a hard time walking. She had lacerations all over her. Her left leg was swollen with a big slash. She had fleas and major hair loss.

"The puppies had hookworms," he said.

The investigation started with an anonymous call to Indian River County Animal Control.

"We have to respond," said Dixon, particularly because on two previous occasions, both in January, Indian River County Animal Control officers visited the home and told Jackson to improve the dogs' living conditions.

"On Feb. 27 we found more dogs and worse conditions than the previous times," Dixon said. "A warning wasn't working.

"Here lately we are seeing more of these types of complaints," he said. "People are starting to come and say enough is enough, something needs to be done."

Case Updates

A Gifford couple charged with multiple counts of animal cruelty and unlawful confinement of 11 pit bull dogs were found guilty of two charges of animal cruelty Tuesday.

But a two-hour power outage postponed sentencing of Travis and Jeane Jackson, of 3800 block of 18th Avenue, until 9 a.m. July 25. Defense attorney Jim Long said he will seek probation.

Each charge is a first-degree misdemeanor punishable by up to a year in jail and a $5,000 fine.

Assistant State Attorney Ed Taylor wasn't ready to say what he will recommend except he wants Circuit Court Judge David Morgan to order the couple to reimburse $10,000 in medical bills to the Humane Society of Vero Beach and Indian River County paid in for caring for the dogs.

Humane Society officials said the dogs were suffering from everything from worms to an infected leg wound, according to court testimony.

Earlier this year, a civil court action resulted in all the animals being turned over to the Humane Society where officials tried to see if they could be offered for adoption, a spokeswoman said. But they proved to be too aggressive and were euthanized. One died naturally, of a congestive heart failure, the official said.

In his opening argument, Long said the Jacksons are "poor people who love animals who couldn't afford" better care for the dogs. Travis Jackson said he used medicines, but used a standard folk remedy � used motor oil � in treating a dog's hair loss.

Long contended Indian River County Animal Control officers who seized the dogs on Feb. 27 saw temporary conditions that didn't reflect the whole picture of how the dogs were handled.

Officers acted on an anonymous complaint. According to arrest records, three adult dogs and eight puppies were confined in substandard conditions outside and the puppies were in a small cage with feces.

The Jacksons testified the puppies had been keep inside at night and were washed.

Travis Jackson said the puppies were in a small cage, on top of their mother's cage, because the mother dog had fought another pit bull in the couple's backyard.

Morgan said common sense would dictate people who could only afford two dogs shouldn't have four dogs. But the judge said court testimony only proved two adult dogs were in such poor medical condition to constitute criminal animal cruelty.

When veterinarians at Highlands Animal Hospital examined one dog, Princess, it had a severely swollen sore a week old on the right leg, said veterinarian Dr. Glenda Paredes.

"There were multiple scars, a fever and the ribs were apparent. It was in poor, poor physical condition," she said.

Also, a dog named Little Mama had eyes swollen shut, hair loss, deep scares, intestinal parasites and was thin, said veterinarian Dr. Jamie Guilliepie.

"We're not discouraged by the verdict," said Taylor. "We will continue to aggressively prosecute" cases in which animals are mistreated.

Travis and Jeane Jackson, of the 3800 block of 18th Avenue, each had been charged with 22 counts of animal cruelty and unlawful confinement of 11 pit bull dogs. On Tuesday, Circuit Court Judge David Morgan cleared them of all of but two counts involving two adult dogs. Sentencing is July 25.
Source: TCPalm - July 18, 2007
Update posted on Jul 18, 2007 - 8:19AM 
The trial against a couple accused of animal cruelty and unlawful confinement of pit bull dogs and puppies started today at the Indian River County Courthouse.

County Judge David Morgan will make the determination in the non-jury case against Travis and Jeane Jackson. They face four counts each related to 11 dogs and puppies living in what investigators called "deplorable conditions."

Animal Control took the dogs from the couple's home in February. The later court awarded the eight puppies to the Humane Society of Vero Beach and Indian River County.

The animal cruelty charges are punishable by up to a year in jail and a $5,000 fine.

Additional information about the trial will be posted throughout the day.
Source: TCPalm - July 17, 2007
Update posted on Jul 17, 2007 - 1:50PM 
A man who faces four counts each of animal cruelty and unlawful confinement from a February incident is in trouble again after county officials allege his two pit bulls attacked a woman this week � sending her to the hospital.

The woman, whose name was not disclosed, was treated for minor injuries Tuesday and released from Indian River Medical Center later that day, according to officials.

The dogs' owner, Travis Jackson, 28, of the 3800 block of 18th Avenue, was cited for failing to prevent an unprovoked attack. The citation is punishable by up to a $500 fine.
The woman walking in the 1800 block of 38th Lane, east of U.S. 1, when the dogs attacked � biting her several times, Indian River Animal Control supervisor Jeff West said Thursday. The attack was unprovoked, witnesses said.

The animals retreated when a man in the neighborhood ran up with a garden tool, West said.

The dogs appeared to have gotten out of a backyard cage, he said. The vaccinated animals now are quarantined at the Humane Society of Vero Beach and Indian River County and will remain there. The owners immediately gave up ownership.

The citation comes as Jackson and his wife, Jeane, face four counts each of animal cruelty and unlawful confinement of pit bull puppies that Animal Control took from the couple's home in February. The court awarded the eight puppies to the Humane Society.

The animal cruelty charges are punishable by up to a year in jail and a $5,000 fine.

Humane Society investigator Ilka Daniel said the puppies were living in deplorable conditions.
Source: TCPalm.com - June 1, 2007
Update posted on Jun 2, 2007 - 5:11PM 
Following their first appearance hearing in court on Friday on charges of unlawful confinement and cruel treatment of their 11 backyard pit bull dogs � eight puppies and three adults � the couple posted bail and were released from the Indian River County Jail. The dogs were seized Feb. 27 and now are doing well at the Humane Society of Vero Beach and Indian River County, officials said.
Source: TCPalm - March 17, 2007
Update posted on Mar 17, 2007 - 11:37AM 

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References

TCPalm - March 16, 2007

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