Jacksonville, FL – A 42-year-old woman, Dawn Lipford, has been arrested and charged with felony animal cruelty after authorities say she abandoned a severely neglected Great Dane on the side of a Jacksonville road earlier this week.
The dog, initially named “Miracle” by Animal Care and Protective Services (ACPS), was discovered on Sunday in extremely poor condition. Despite intensive efforts to save it, the animal did not survive.
Following the dog’s death, the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office (JSO) Vice Unit partnered with ACPS to identify the person responsible. With the help of First Coast Crime Stoppers, which offered up to $8,000 in reward money, investigators received numerous tips through social media and other sources.
Detectives were able to identify Lipford as the suspect, and she was taken into custody Thursday night. Investigators later learned that the dog’s real name was Oak.
In a statement, JSO thanked the community for rallying to bring justice for the animal, highlighting how the partnership between citizens, Crime Stoppers, and law enforcement made the arrest possible.
“We will not stand for animal cruelty,” JSO said in a release. “This community’s compassion and cooperation made all the difference.”
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