JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – An arrest was made on Friday in the animal cruelty case of an emaciated Great Dane found in Jacksonville, Animal Care & Protective Services said.
The dog was named Miracle by ACPS as they tried to save him, but they learned his real name is Oak.
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Dawn Lipford, 42, is accused of abandoning Oak on the side of a road.
ACPS said it worked with the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office during the investigation.
“What we wanted from this was accountability,” ACPS Chief Michael Bricker said. “Thanks to the hard work of the citizen, the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, and our Animal Services Officer Stratton, it looks like we’re going to see exactly that.”
Perrin Todd, a local animal advocate, saw the severely emaciated Great Dane curled up on the side of the road in Duval County.
Oak’s heartbreaking condition sparked an outpouring of support on social media, with many people begging for someone to step in and help.
When Perrin saw the dog she didn’t hesitate. She said she and another Good Samaritan carefully lifted him onto a sheet, put him in a car, and rushed him to an emergency vet. Sadly, despite their efforts, Oak was too far gone and passed away surrounded by caring staff.
Perrin teamed up with First Coast Crime Stoppers to offer a cash reward for any information that could help hold someone accountable. She put up $5,000 herself, and First Coast Crime Stoppers added $3,000, making the total reward $8,000.