JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Eight months after her arrest in the animal cruelty case of an emaciated Great Dane found in Jacksonville, a 43-year-old woman has pleaded guilty, court records show.
The dog was named Miracle by Animal Care & Protective Services as staff members tried to save him, but they later learned his real name was Oak.
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Dawn Lipford was arrested in November and accused of abandoning Oak on the side of a road. She pleaded guilty Wednesday to aggravated animal cruelty.
Her sentencing hearing is set for Aug. 17.
ACPS said it worked with the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office during the investigation.
“What we wanted from this was accountability,” ACPS Chief Michael Bricker said. “Thanks to the hard work of the citizen, the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, and our Animal Services Officer Stratton, it looks like we’re going to see exactly that.”
Perrin Todd, a local animal advocate, saw the severely emaciated Great Dane curled up on the side of the road in Duval County.
Oak’s heartbreaking condition sparked an outpouring of support on social media, with many people begging for someone to step in and help.
When Perrin saw the dog, she didn’t hesitate. She said she and another Good Samaritan carefully lifted him onto a sheet, put him in a car, and rushed him to an emergency vet. Sadly, despite their efforts, Oak was too far gone and passed away surrounded by caring staff.