PHOENIX — A suspect was arrested on Wednesday for severely neglecting 18 dogs he abandoned in his Gila Bend residence, according to the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office.
John Jackson, 38, was a backyard breeder who left 11 dogs and seven puppies without access to food, clean water or proper shelter for at least two weeks, MCSO said.
Deputies contacted him after discovering animals in various stages of abuse, neglect and death at his home in Gila Bend, but he evaded arrest for four days, according to MCSO.
Neglected dogs in Gila Bend resorted to cannibalism in order to survive, MCSO says
Seven of the dogs trapped in the backyard were in terrible condition. Two of the dogs found outside had died, and the others resorted to eating their corpses in order to survive, according to MCSO.
After entering the home, deputies found additional dogs. A female adult Cane Corso was found dead. MCSO believes she was the mother to Cane Corso puppies found alive in the residence.
By the time the search was complete, detectives with MCSO seized a total of 11 adult dogs and seven Cane Corso puppies. They received immediate veterinary care through MCSO’s Animal Safe Haven Unit.
Authorities also brought three dead animals to a veterinarian for a necropsy so MCSO could determine what led to their deaths. One of the dogs was so decomposed only its bones were left.
How are surviving dogs rescued from Gila Bend house doing?
Jeff Gentry, MCSO’s chief deputy, said authorities are trying to save the dogs who survived, although they’re in severe conditions.
“At this time, I can’t even go visit these animals because you have to dress up in a protective suit because of some of the diseases and things that are involved,” Gentry said during a Wednesday press conference. “It is a disgusting and deplorable act by this person.”
The dogs have multiple diseases, including worms, eye conditions and PARVO, MCSO said.
MCSO has increased efforts to crack down on animal abuse
This case reflects an upward trend in animal cruelty in the Valley, which the Arizona Humane Society has pointed out while advocating for Senate Bill 1437, which would clarify and expand the definition of animal abuse in Arizona.
MCSO has done what it can to increase the number of detectives and people who respond to animal crimes in the county, according to Gentry.
He said that despite the office’s staffing shortage, investigators will continue prioritizing animal abuse cases.
More details about Gila Bend animal abuse case
Sgt. Joaquin Enriquez, an MCSO spokesperson, said Jackson was using social media to sell the dogs.
“There are possibly additional suspects,” Enriquez said during the press conference. “We don’t know who he’s working with.”
Jackson faces felony charges of animal cruelty, but he will likely face additional charges as veterinary reports come in, Enriquez added.
“We also do have information that he was charged with animal cruelty in another county here in the state,” Enriquez said. “This isn’t his first time. He knows what he’s doing and he needs to be held accountable.”
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