12 dogs severely neglected, one found dead Jacksonville, FL (US) Incident Date: Saturday, Sep 16, 2006 County: Duval Local Map: available Disposition: Alleged Alleged: Tyirod Merritt

Case ID: 9674 Classification: Neglect / Abandonment Animal: dog (non pit-bull) View more cases in FL (US) Login to Watch this Case

A police report documenting a severe case of animal cruelty puts one man behind bars. Twelve dogs were found, three of them puppies, all barely living at a Arlington home. One of the dogs was found dead on a towel in the backyard. The suspect is 29-year-old Tyirod Merritt.

Neighbors say for several weeks they heard sounds coming from the backyard and figured it to be puppies, but never imagined what animal control would discover.

"These dogs were so malnourished. I mean you could see the ribs. One dog was falling over," says neighbor Tabitha Gunn.

According to reports two of the dogs had "multiple fight wounds, punctures and laceration." Investigators say this type of abuse is "highly characteristic of a dog fight."

The report also says there was no food or water for the dogs. One was found in a shed, two others in a utility room. Another puppy so sick it couldn't even raise its head.

"You hear whining and dogs barking constantly. I mean it upsets me that somebody could treat dogs like that," says Gunn.

All twelve dogs were impounded. The report says one of the puppies was rushed to the pet emergency room at Central Veterinary Clinic because of its health condition.

Investigators say this is not the first time they visited Merritt's home due to animal cruelty.

Merritt was initially arrested on unrelated charges, but police later discovered a warrant out regarding this case. According to police reports, Merritt says he works with the Police Benevolent Association.

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First Coast News - Sept 16, 2006

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