OAK HILL, Fla. – A Volusia County man has been charged with felony aggravated animal cruelty after authorities found his dog severely malnourished and suffering from several untreated infections, according to the Volusia Sheriff’s Office.
Volusia County Animal Services officers found Tanner, a Catahoula mix, at a home on Halbrook Road in Oak Hill. The dog weighed slightly more than 33 pounds—almost half his estimated healthy weight of about 60 pounds. He was severely dehydrated, covered in open sores and dealing with multiple infections that had not been treated. A forensic veterinarian assigned Tanner a body condition score of 1 out of 9, the lowest rating possible, according to an arrest affidavit.
Tanner’s owner, 31-year-old Johnathan Meyers, approached officers and volunteered that he intended to surrender the dog “next week.” Asked about Tanner’s condition, Meyers described him as “kind of skinny” and said he had “bad skin.” He surrendered ownership of the dog at the scene.
Investigators reviewed veterinary records and interviewed witnesses, determining that Meyers had known about Tanner’s worsening condition for months. The dog had reportedly not seen a veterinarian in about four years. Animal Services had previously stepped in during September 2025, offering Meyers education and resources, but Tanner’s health later declined again. Investigators said Meyers acknowledged that he knew Tanner was suffering and admitted he “should have known better,” the affidavit states.
Detectives went to Meyers’ home Tuesday to take him into custody. As they moved toward him, Meyers backed away and repeatedly asked, “Why?” He was handcuffed after a brief struggle in which he braced himself, tensed up and pulled his hands away from detectives. Deputies then found a glass pipe on him containing residue that produced a presumptive positive field test for methamphetamine.
Meyers faces charges of aggravated animal cruelty, a felony, as well as resisting an officer without violence and possession of drug paraphernalia. He has since been released from jail on bond.
Body camera footage from the arrest also captures Meyers asking, “Can you call my mom?”
Tanner has gained more than 15 pounds since arriving at the Volusia County Animal Services shelter, deputies said. His infections have also improved, and shelter officials expect him to make a full recovery. Once he is ready, Animal Services plans to place Tanner up for adoption.
