Chance Jones, an 18-year-old resident of Perrotti Place in Palm Coast, faces a felony animal cruelty charge in connection with the death of a 5-month-old puppy–a Bluetick Coonhound/Australian Shepherd mix.
“The baby suffered senselessly,” said Caroline Johnson, founder of Flagler County’s Saving Missing Animals Response Team, the nonprofit known as Smart.
Flagler County Sheriff’s deputies recovered the dog on July 1 when she was still alive but severely malnourished and in a puddle of urine where Jones had left her–in a detached garage to which he had access by code at the Central Landings apartments. The tenant who leased the apartment to which the garage belonged–Jones’s cousin–had no idea the dog had been left there.
According to his arrest report, Jones had taken ownership of the dog when she was 10 weeks old. The dog was part of a litter that belonged to a couple in Bunnell. The couple was giving away the dogs. Jones sent pictures and videos of the puppy to the original owners in late April. The dog “appeared slightly skinnier but still in overall good health,” the arrest report states. The original owners last saw images of the dog on May 7, when she was in a similar condition.
The lease-holder at the apartment complex, 20-year-old Michael Flemmings, had entered the garage at 1 p.m. on July 1, discovering the dog there. By the time a deputy arrived, Jones was also at the scene. An animal control crew removed the dog. She was taken to East Coast Animal Hospital before being transferred to a different hospital for more care before she died.
Animal Control had named her Sunset.
Jones often spends time with Flemmings at his apartment. He had been there on June 30. Flemmings told authorities he believed that’s when Jones left the dog in the garage, without telling his cousin. When Flemmings discovered the dog, Jones denied that it was his, according to the arrest report, but Flemmings recognized the dog from a prior visit at Jones’s P-Section house, where Jones’s mother had told him he could not keep her, as the family was moving to Russo Drive.
Johnson got a tip tracing the dog’s original ownership, which allowed authorities to reconstruct her last months’ ownerships. After the dog’s death on July 4 “from organ failure due to starvation,” a veterinary doctor informed a deputy that “multiple tests and lab results indicated no pre-existing medical conditions that would account for the dog’s level of malnourishment.”
A deputy encountered Jones on Russo Drive after the dog’s death.
Jones said “the dog belonged to him and he would take full responsibility,” the report states. He said he’d acquired the dog months earlier but was often away from his mother’s house, and thought family members would care for the puppy. He said “the dog was only fed when he returned home every few weeks and stated he had difficulty caring for the dog due to lack of transportation,” the report states. So he walked the dog to his cousin’s apartment complex on June 30. His mother had previously told a deputy that she had driven her son to the complex, and that the dog was wrapped in a blanket. Jones told the deputy he “hid the dog in the garage because he did not want [Flemmings] to see the dog’s malnourished condition.”
The report adds: “The dog was left in the garage without food or water, no way to escape, no source of light, and no fresh air. When asked if he ever attempted to take the dog to a veterinarian, [Jones] stated he had not.” He again took full responsibility, giving the deputy a chronology of events from the time he had taken ownership of the dog.
Jones was booked at the Flagler County jail late Monday night. He remains there on $3,000 bond.
Pippa says
Then give the poor puppy away! These people should be prosecuted to the fullest extent for letting it just starve. Soooo sad
nbr says
I agree, I would appear that he NO intention of taking are of the animal. What did he think was going to happen. NO food, water, air, attention love, etc
Barry says
This is so inhumane. Some people are animals and they themselves should be treated as such. This should warrant heavy fines and jail time.
Wow says
Heart breaking. Hope he never has children.
Atwp says
Treating an animal is wrong in my opinion. He is in jail on a $3000 bond. He was wrong for treating the animal that way. But I’m always surprised at hoe fast an animal abuser is put in jail so fast. I read a person may go to prison for running over quite a few ducklings in Jacksonville I believe. I’m confused because cops mostly male white cops kill innocent people all the time and many of them never ever go to jail or prison. We are talking about people being murdered by cops, qualified immunity I guess. I guess the message is cops you can kill people and it is ok, but people don’t hurt animals because jail time is at hand and prison is a possible outcome. Cops killing people is self defense sometimes but not all the time. Are the laws in this country so backwards that animal lives are more important than the lives of people. I also know that cops get killed too. I heard that back in the day it was against the law to kill some animals in Mississippi but killing an African American Person was ok. Are we going back to that day, not only African Americans but all people.? Btw the guy in the story is African American and the person in Jacksonville is African American, just saying. Jail time for him and possible prison time for her, common denominator dead animals.
,
Bambi says
Previous article dude is accused of rape and beating his girlfriend, there’s like four comments. Dumb kid does this and the wolves come out.
Keep Flagler Beautiful says
Say what you’re really thinking: that animals’ lives don’t matter. Why else would you disparage those commenting on this story by calling them “wolves?” Ironically, YOU did not comment on the previous article about the dude accused of rape and beating his girlfriend. Where is YOUR outrage? Rather hypocritical, I’d say.
Bambi says
It’s funny you noticed I didn’t comment on the last article. I deliberately didn’t because I already know how you keyboard Klansmen role. It makes no sense going tit for tat with people who hug, comfort and lie to themselves that January 6th was a prayer group meeting. That’s the difference between me and you. I don’t need to beat the kid up knowing that the judicial system, as stated, will very well make him pay for his deeds and beyond. And I don’t need to comment on another male Caucasian abuser; your little school shooters already prove my point. Trust me, the whole world is now very aware of the Fox News treatment people like you endorse. “If they’re black, they’re looting. If they’re white, they’re looking for supplies.” Minorities already know your survival tactics. If it’s a white person, most of the comments would strictly be about the animal. When it’s a black person, most of the comments are he’s the animal. Nobody’s dumb. You’re not a cop, as much as you would like to believe you are so, no you don’t get, qualified immunity so embrace your ante “woke, animal, thug…. Barack Obama wore a tan suit. Benjamin Crump, Al Sharpton, Colin Kapernack are all race baiters” argument. Here’s some advice: get yourself a waterproof spray tan. Cuz that’s the only way to “Keep your white hood Beautiful” from all that orange on your face from pulling your head out of Trump’s butt.
JimboXYZ says
Interesting, the comment steered toward white cops killing blacks ? Since we’re going down the race card path, perhaps animal abuse is a cultural thing. Santeria sacrifice anything from livestock (chickens & goats) to cats & anything else domestic pet that became ferral ? Head on over to Africa in 2026, another ebola outbreak ?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2026_Ebola_epidemic
https://www.miamiherald.com/latest-news/article1946105.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Santer%C3%ADa#Offerings_and_animal_sacrifice
Seems relatively cultural & religious freedom ? I don’t doubt there aren’t white folk, the Bunnell Hillbillies of trailer trash that are guilty of their share if animal neglect & abuse. They face their share of crime & punishment, because they are white rednecks ? She was held on $ 41K bond, that’s seems about the same number, considering that none of the 51 animals died ? Human race disappoints again. Let’s not bash FCSO for arresting the criminals, regardless of the color of their skin ? Maybe had a neighbor reported that sooner, this could’ve been avoided, then again, there have to be victim(s) for there to be a crime big enough to prosecute anyone for their role in their crime(s). Shame that a dog had to die before anything was done in this case. I’d hate to think a black LEO wouldn’t have done exactly the same thing that happened to Chance Jones ?
https://www.firstcoastnews.com/article/news/local/woman-arrested-felony-animal-cruelty-palm-coast/77-edfb89a8-ce4c-46e0-b9b5-1d7ae2359334
Jeffery Cortland Seib says
I don’t see where race has anything to do with it. I am heartbroken and disgusted by the torture this poor creature had to endure before dying of his injuries. As an animal lover I am opposed to any race, color, or creed abusing and torturing animals. This baby didn’t have to die. Sure, we read and see stories of people being mistreated sadly much to often but this hits another nerve. These fur babies and all creatures count on us to treat them humanely. They are living things, not just a nuisance. This is criminal and I hope the person or persons charged get more than a slap on the wrist.
M says
I called the police about this dog back in April. It was left outside for hours crying wanting inside. A next door neighbor, who also has a couple of dogs, happened to come outside to see what was going on. This poor puppy came running up to them wagging his tail wanting someone to pay attention to him. The police arrived, knocked on the door and left shortly after. I never heard him cry again. I have seen multiple pets owned by this family neglected, one of which was charged with animal abuse a few years ago. It breaks my heart.
Me says
Police were called in April, if something addressed it then this puppy would still be alive.
M says
Same family from a few years ago. https://flaglerlive.com/pit-bulls-railroad-street/
Dennis C Rathsam says
Only 3000 bond!!!! POPPYCOCK
Ed Danko, former Vice-Mayor PC says
All of my pets have been rescued, and I would starve before allowing them to go without. This pathetic excuse for a humane being should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Hope he spends a long time behind bars suffering. Clearly, this POS has no regard for life. I gladly volunteer for jury duty for his trail.
Laurel says
Ed Danko, etc., etc.: You just disqualified yourself.
FlaPharmTech says
The maximum sentence for this POS! I’m too emotional to post anything else that would be approved. Sickening. My heart breaks…
Nanette says
what’s sickening is you work at a pharmaceutical where drugs are prescribed you have no care for human life either it you cared so much you would be out delivering food to homeless people or doing something useful not working under and for drug dealers each time you do your job your further escalating a person’s internal organ damage all is see is a young child wanting an animal obviously his mother couldn’t afford or keep and he wanted it so bad he kept it hidden and yawl acting like the young man intentionally killed the animal obviously the person who gave him the animal should be looked into bc why not make sure the animal was going to a stable home the young man is barely an adult if a child shows up to buy my puppies or a young person I’m gonna need some proof you can take care of my baby. further more if so many people seen and actually cared why not take food to the young man and help him to properly take care of the puppy don’t you know his dad was just removed from his life and his mother is now facing rasing kids alone you should have more empathy for the human life and what the young man may be going through his mom is basically overworking herself so maybe he was using the dog for his own comfort and he doesn’t know how to do that yet dont be so cruel cos you never know what someone is going through and he recently lost both grandmothers so he doesn’t really have anyone he is the oldest child his mom is always working she needs someone to help her not judge her kids for making a mistake for trying to love a puppy you can’t have his mom can’t afford a puppy right now
Mark V says
It sounds like his mother should be in jail too. Little Sunset looks heartbreakingly similar to the mix breed puppy I adopted in March of this year. He is also five months old. It takes a special kind of scum to let a puppy starve. May the suffering of the poor puppy be repaid ten fold on the idiots responsible for this pointless tragedy.
Spaghettisauce says
Im a animal love and my heart is broken! This was indeed sensless but You should learn how to read she told him he couldnt keep the dog At her home he wasnt living with her!. He will deal with the consequences of his actions im pretty sure his family agrees hes in the wrong considering he hasn’t posted bail…you never judge a parent based off something and adult child has done. If you jave kids you know once they hit a certain age they know everything.its not the parents fault.
Harper says
People make me sick!!!
Give it away! I would’ve taken it and given it an amazing life.
They need to make the penalty stronger for crimes like this. He should be treated and charged like the murderer he is!
This is DISGUSTING! I hope the shame follows him for the rest of his life and he is banned from ever owning an animal again.
mothersworry says
There is a special place in hell for a pos like this!
Laurel says
It is very disturbing to me that psychopathy is on the rise. Pedophiles, animal abuse and self indulgence is rampant.
No animal deserves such careless treatment. There is no excuse. His claim of taking full responsibility is just a crystal clear attempt of seeking a reduced sentence.
Nanette says
wait a minute now. reduced sentence. this is a child who comes from a good home. his grandfather who raised his mother faught for your freedom. this child has never been in trouble. he is not a street kid. his mother is hardworking. has worked all his life and is still working serving people like you to provide for this child who she could not afford to take care of the animal that you say he neglected. he probably hid the animal so he can keep it and didn’t know what to do because he probably didn’t have anyone to tell his mom works a lot his grandmothers are both deceased and his father was just removed from his home. i think he just a child trying to cope and got the dog for comfort and couldn’t take care of it unfortunately but should he be in jail for a dog and to be honest who knows what they did to the dog when they got it since he was alive at the transfer they could have caused his death. your cruel to want a child to sit in jail who may be needing comfort for himself trying to cope through grief in a world filled with people like you
Me says
The Judges in Flagler County need to start charging these low life’s stiffer sentences and add fines to it on top of that. This low life and everyone in that household needs to be charged and never allowed to own any animals again.
If they starved a poor helpless puppy they would do the same to a innocent baby.
This whole family are disgusting scums and please Judges throw the book at all of them.
Keep Flagler Beautiful says
I agree. The idea that there were other family members who could have done something to save the puppy’s life, but didn’t, makes them guilty of negligence and abuse, as well.
FlaPharmTech says
If you are able, please consider donating to SMART. I did….in Sunsets memory.
FlaPharmTech says
Flaglerlive, please follow this story. Please.