JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Animal Control and Protection Services (ACPS) is looking for the community’s help to pinpoint individuals responsible for abuse and neglect that led to a dog’s death.
An ACPS officer responded to a park on Wheat Road on Tuesday after someone called animal control to report seeing two people walk into the park with the dog, then leave.
The officer found the malnourished, senior-aged dog, which was renamed Tristan, “flailing in the dirt.”
ACPS said Tristan was foaming at the mouth, bleeding, whining, and experiencing seizures that made it challenging for the officer to pick him up to put him into the van and get him some aid.
By the time the two made it to the shelter, ACPS said Tristan was “stiff and unresponsive.” A veterinarian said Triston suffered from status epilepticus that was caused by “severe blunt force trauma to the head.”
Because of his severe condition, the veterinarian said euthanasia was the only humane option.
Tristan was microchipped, but according to ACPS, the company did not have any identifying information, and the caller did not have specific descriptions about the two individuals they saw earlier that day.
ACPS called the incident a “deliberate act of violence,” and wanted answers to bring Triston justice.
“We need justice for this dog, and we need to show that Duval cares about animals; about those without voices. We encourage anyone who knows ANYTHING, no matter how small it might seem, about the perpetrators of this horrible crime to come forward,” ACPS urged on Thursday.
If you have any information that can lead to an arrest, you are urged to call Crime Stoppers at 866-844-TIPS to remain anonymous.
Tips that lead to an arrest are eligible for up to a $3,000 award.
Copyright 2026 by WJXT News4JAX – All rights reserved.