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Century Man Guilty On Animal Abuse Charges, Sentenced To Jail
May 25, 2011
A Century man has been sentenced to jail time on eight animal cruelty charges related to the December seizure of several malnourished dogs and horses from his property.
Willie Lee Jones, 54, was found guilty of three counts of cruelty to animals and five counts of confinement of animals without sufficient food, water or exercise. Judge Thomas Dannheisser sentenced Jones to 30 days in the county jail, 50 hours of community service and six years probation. He will also be required to pay $1,000 in court costs and $3,906 in restitution. Jones was also ordered to actively seek a job or maintain employment, and he is forbidden from possessing any animal anywhere he lives.
Jones is now behind bars in the Escambia County Jail.
On December 22, 2010, Escambia County Animal Control, Panhandle Equine Rescue and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office seized at least six dogs and four horses from Jones’ home at 6420 North Century Boulevard, just south of Tedder Road.
One of the dogs, a pit bull, was found chained to a piece of post, according to the Sheriff’s Office incident report. Another, also a pit bull, was found in a cage by itself with open sores on its body. A female pit bull was found with three puppies. The puppies were playful and appeared to be of reasonable health, according to the reporting deputy, but the mother’s ribs and hips were clearly visible.
Two of the pit bulls were euthanized due to their poor health, according to Escambia County Animal Control. The other animals are all recovering after receiving veterinary care.
One of the horses was stabled by himself in what deputies described as “an old dilapidated building”.
“The horse was standing on a thick layer of manure that coated the entire floor of the stall,” according to the Sheriff’s Office report. There was no food or water for the horse.
A man that lives on the property told deputies that he had fed and watered the horses shortly before authorities arrived, but it was the last of the food. He said that Jones was due to purchase more food and hay for the horses the following day.
Deputies found another horse in small enclosure standing in a pile of manure that was several inches thick. None of the horses on the property had food or hay, and several lacked adequate water, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
Pictured above and below: A Century man was sentenced to jail for the abuse of these animals seized in December. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Comments
10 Responses to “Century Man Guilty On Animal Abuse Charges, Sentenced To Jail”
I totally agree with JKSmith….Instead of 30 days in jail, he should have to experience 30 days of the way he treated the animals. I wonder how he would enjoy being chained to a fence post, having to stand in several inches of his own manure and wondering when someone would come around with food, water or a kind word or gentle touch? Anyone think this is too harsh??? Domestic animals are basically helpless to care for themselves and we have taught them to depend on us for their care. I currently foster dogs and hope to expand to horses once I retire next year. I also have a therapy dog and we’re working on being certified for the R.E.A.D. program at local libraries. Domesticated animals are a pure joy to anyone willing to let them into their lives and hearts.
That man is a SIKKO!!!!!!!!
I don’t know if it is true or not but worth looking into…… I have been hearing that the jails are full to the brim and they are giving light sentences and more other types of punishments such as probation and fines. And 30 days is not really 30 days, knock off a few for good behavior. I think we would all be shocked to know how the system was really working.
I agree, the punishment for any kind of animal fighting should be to the fullest extent of the law to show others what will happen to them if they do it. ANIMALS ARE PETS, PART OF YOUR FAMILY, TREAT THEM THAT WAY. THEY SHOULD BE LOVED, AND RESPECTED LIKE ANYTHING ELSE WITH A BEATING HEART. SHAME ON YOU AND SHAME ON ANYONE ELSE OUT THERE THAT IS BEING CRUEL TO ANIMALS!!!!!! When I get home, my pets are so happy to see me, they meet me outside and at the door when I get in…THAT’S BECAUSE I LOVE THEM AND THEY KNOW IT! WAKE UP AMERICA, PUT THESE THUGS BEHIND BARS WHERE THEY BELONG!!!!!!!!!!
I agree with almost everyone in that the sentence is far to light.. I am thankful, however, that he is forever banned from owning any more animals, and I hope that if he violates his parole, that he will be locked up again..
I totally agree with all the previous posters especially S529 and sorely feel
that his sentence is a total disgrace to his crime and agree with Bjay on that one.
Personally, I think someone should put him in a cage with no food or water or potty and see how he likes it! Punishment is just a slap on the wrist and it makes me sick to see that he wasn’t even given a harsh sentence for what he did!
Mr Jones deserves a much stronger punishment for these crimes. If he did not have the funds or the ability to take care of his animals, there are plenty of people that can and will help with the cost of food and shelter…or he could of simply call the one of the many organizations to come pick up the animals. Mr. Jones not keeping a sanitary area for his animals boils down to pure laziness. It does not cost money to be clean! People that are mean to animals, seniors or children are truly cowards. To treat animals that have no choice but to depend on their owners for food, water, and love is disgraceful. He needs to skip eating or drinking for a week or two, maybe he will understand the pain those defenseless animal had to endure.
Maybe the punishment should fit the crime– let’s let him live as these poor animals did by his criminal neglect. 30 days doesn’t seem enough but making him get a job and not having any animals helps it slightly.
Judge Thomas Dannheisser this is a joke! 30 days in jail? I hope you lose your postion over this.