Two men and a woman are facing animal cruelty and neglect charges in connection with an incident where 23 dogs were abandoned on a roadside in St. Augustine, leading to the deaths of three animals. The investigation involved collaboration between the St. Johns County Sheriff's Office and the Flagler County Sheriff's Office.
The case began on May 4 when the dogs were discovered at the intersection of U.S. 1 and County Road 204. In June, authorities arrested Austin Moore, 32, and Anthony Dunham, 23. Both men were charged with three counts of aggravated animal cruelty and 20 counts of animal neglect. Moore’s mother, Carolyn Loveman, 48, was arrested in May on one felony count of aggravated animal cruelty and 31 misdemeanor counts of cruelty to animals.
According to a St. Johns County Sheriff's Office report, Moore and Dunham transported the dogs from Loveman’s Palm Coast residence. Moore allegedly drove the animals to St. Johns County while Dunham followed in a separate vehicle. Moore initially denied abandoning the dogs but later confessed. He stated that his mother called him in distress, explaining she could no longer care for her pets. Moore claimed he loaded the dogs into his van and asked Dunham to follow. He alleged that a box containing the dogs broke open during transit, allowing the animals to escape onto the roadside before he and Dunham drove away.
Dunham denied any involvement in the abandonment. Authorities recovered the remaining 20 dogs and transported them to local veterinary facilities for treatment. Three dogs did not survive the incident.
During a search of Loveman’s home, deputies found 51 additional dogs. Law enforcement officials described the living conditions as filthy. Many of the animals exhibited signs of severe neglect, including fur loss consistent with mange, heavy flea infestations, severely overgrown nails, and waste matted to their paws.
