A veterinarian who examined Tristan, a dog that recently passed away, described the case as “one of the most severe and disturbing instances of animal cruelty” they’ve ever seen.
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Animal Care and Protective Services (ACPS) officers are on a mission to identify those responsible for the tragic fate of a dog discovered abandoned and in distress at a park in Jacksonville.
In a recent social media update, the agency announced a cash reward for any information leading to the identification of the individuals involved in Tristan’s case.
ACPS responded to an incident on Tuesday, January 20, after receiving a report about a dog found wandering alone at a park on 7754 Wheat Road in the Jacksonville Heights area. The informant reportedly saw two individuals enter the park with the dog and then leave without him.
Tristan was described as a medium-sized, senior dog with distinctive brown spots and floppy ears.
Please be advised: The following description of the dog’s condition may be distressing to some readers.
When the animal services officer arrived, ACPS says Tristan was very skinny, bleeding, continuously seizing and “clearly in horrible pain.”
By the time the officer managed to get him back to the shelter, he was reportedly already stiff and unresponsive. Euthanasia was believed to be the only humane option.
The veterinarian who performed a necropsy on Tristan determined that the seizures were caused by severe blunt force trauma to the head.
“The dog’s skull has been crushed with such force that fragments of bone were lodged in the brain,” said ACPS veterinarian Dr. Stephenson. “With over 20 years of experience in veterinary medicine and advanced training in forensic medicine, I can say that this is one of the most severe and disturbing cases of animal cruelty I’ve encountered.”
Dr. Stephenson says she believes his condition was no accident.
“The nature and extent of the injuries indicate this was not accidental, but a deliberate act of violence against a defenseless animal,” Dr. Stephenson said.
The two people seen with Tristan are described as being of average weight and height, with one in a yellow hoodie and another in a gray shirt. With the incident occurring in a busy area right next to a school, investigators are hopeful that someone knows what happened.
Through a new partnership, ACPS and First Coast Crime Stoppers work together to solve cases of animal cruelty. Anyone who provides information anonymously to Crime Stoppers leading to an arrest in the case will be eligible for a $3,000 cash prize.
A previous tip has been credited as the main reason the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office was able to make an arrest in the animal abuse case of “Miracle,” also known as Oak, in 2025.
