JONES COUNTY, Miss. (WDAM) – It’s been over a year since Merritt Rambin’s niece died in this trailer off of Lebanon Road in Jones County.
“She passed away on Thanksgiving of 2023,” Rambin said.
Rambin remembers the woman as an animal lover.
“Two dogs, several cats,” said Rambin.
Rambin was shocked at what he walked up on Thursday while collecting some of her personal items.
“When I went in, I discovered two carcasses, dogs badly decomposed, nothing but skin and bone left,” said Rambin.
Jones County investigators believe the dogs could have been in the home for months before dying.
A suspect hasn’t been named, but Rambin has several questions.
“At the time of her death, her boyfriend was still living here, caring for the dogs,” said Rambin. “Also after the death because I actually came here to visit him.”
Jones County Investigator Denny Graham called the situation “uncommon.”
“For the most part, when the deputies get there and check, everything’s adequate and they have food, shelter and water,” said Graham.
The sheriff’s office is investigating it as an animal cruelty case.
Graham said whoever’s responsible could get locked up for a long time.
“It’s a felony and can carry up to three years in prison for the first offense,” said Graham. “A second offense can be a 10-year sentence.”
With two animal shelters in the county, Graham believes all of this could have been avoided.
“Don’t abandon them in the aspect that they are confined and it leads to their death from starvation or lack of food and water,” said Graham.
If a person isn’t charged with a felony, Graham said there are misdemeanor charges the department can pursue through the justice court.
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