ELKTON, Fla. – A 34-year-old convicted felon has been arrested on multiple felony charges after St. Johns County investigators said they found mutilated dog remains, dead cats and evidence indicating he shot his dog several times at close range.
Jake Matthew was arrested Sept. 17 following an investigation that began after residents reported hearing gunshots near his home in the 3000 block of Ninth Street in Elkton, according to the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office.
Matthew faces charges of aggravated animal cruelty, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, making a false report to law enforcement, unlawful disposal of a dead animal and using an animal to fight or bait.
The investigation began Aug. 25 when deputies received multiple calls reporting gunfire near Matthew’s residence. Deputies responded but did not find anything suspicious at the time.
The following day, deputies returned to the area after the remains of a decapitated adult female dog were discovered on a vacant lot on Tenth Street.
Property Crimes detectives subsequently obtained a warrant to search Matthew’s home. Investigators said they discovered additional mutilated dog remains along with a gun-cleaning kit containing gun oil, a box used to store pistols and other firearm-related items and accessories.
No firearm was recovered during the search.
The sheriff’s office said Matthew is a convicted felon and prohibited from possessing firearms.
Shell casings, dead cats found during second search
Detectives executed a second search warrant Sept. 2 and found several 9mm shell casings in the backyard near where the dog’s remains had been located, according to SJSO.
Investigators also recovered a fired bullet from a tree trunk.
Two dead cats were found on the property during the search, the sheriff’s office said. Authorities also seized two adult male dogs, eight puppies and two piglets.
The sheriff’s office did not say whether Matthew faces charges related to the cats or provide information about how they died. The agency also did not disclose the condition of the animals removed from the property.
Necropsy finds dog was shot multiple times
The adult female dog was identified as Matthew’s dog, Daisy.
A necropsy conducted by the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine determined Daisy had been shot several times at close range, according to investigators.
Based on the evidence gathered during the investigation, detectives believe Matthew killed Daisy in the backyard with a 9mm handgun.
The sheriff’s office did not explain in its announcement what evidence led to the charge of using an animal to fight or bait.
Matthew was booked into the St. Johns County Jail, where he was being held on $45,750 bond.