Woman accused of burning property, abandoning dog in George County
GEORGE COUNTY, Miss. — A Mobile woman faces felony charges after George County authorities say she damaged…
animal cruelty
Arrests made in two separate animal cruelty cases in Picayune
PICAYUNE, Miss. (WXXV)- Picayune Police officers have made arrests in two separate animal cruelty cases. On May 2nd, 2025 Picayune Police Department became aware of an incident that occurred at a convenience store in the city involving abuse of a…
Arrested and charged with felony animal cruelty in Pascagoula
On January 30, 2024, Pascagoula Police Officers responded to a disturbance call at Cambridge Park Apartments involving Derrick Moody of Pascagoula. Upon arrival, officers discovered that two Pitbulls had recently been abused. The extent of the abuse is being investigated…
Former corrections official found guilty in death of Ocean Springs mascot, Carl
Kendra Shaffer, a former corrections official from Jones County, was found guilty of animal cruelty in the death of Carl the Rooster in Ocean Springs Municipal Court this afternoon. Shaffer's attorney said they…
Jones County woman pleads not guilty to cruelty charges in Carl's death
The woman accused of kidnapping and killing Carl the rooster entered a not guilty plea on Monday in Ocean Springs. Kendra Shaffer, 35, entered the plea through her…
Pass Christian duo charged with 70 counts of animal cruelty make initial court appearance
Richard and Ethel Ross made their initial court hearing today in Pass Christian regarding their animal cruelty charges. The couple was arrested…
Two Pass Christian residents charged with seventy counts of cruelty to animals
On March 11, 2022 at 4:39, the Pass Christian Police Department arrested Mrs. Ethel Ross (56) at her residence in Pass Christian and transported her to the Harrison County Adult Detention Center. Mrs. Ross was charged with (70) seventy counts…
GRAPHIC: Multiple cats reportedly shot by blowgun darts in Poplarville
Mississippi Coast Crime Stoppers and Poplarville Police are asking for the public’s help to identify those involved in shooting cats with darts from a blowgun. As…
Harrison County couple charged with animal cruelty on trial
The trial began today for a Saucier couple charged with multiple counts of animal cruelty. Sharon and Daniel Bertok were arrested and charged in 2020 after more than 100 animals were found living on their property in…
Governor Reeves signs new animal cruelty bill
Governor Reeves signed an animal cruelty bill into law in an effort to protect cats and dogs and to increase penalties for abuse. Now, each act of cruelty or abuse that is committed against more than one animal will count…
Attorney demands return of seized animals after Saucier couple charged with animal cruelty
The attorney for a Saucier couple arrested last week on five counts each of simple animal cruelty is asking for answers and demanding at least 13 of the more than 100 animals seized be returned to their home. Harrison County…
Bringing justice to abused animals
You may remember Coco, the dog we introduced you to last week. He was left tied to a tree in the woods in Biloxi and later found by a hunter. Coco was microchipped by his previous adopter and Just Cause…
Dog tied up and left to die is looking for forever home
One dog was given a second chance after being found tied up to a tree in the woods in Biloxi. The dog, now named Coco, was left to die, tied up so tight he was choking. Just a few days…
President Trump signs animal cruelty bill
Abusing animals is now a federal crime. President Trump signed the ‘PACT Act,’ Preventing Animal Cruelty and Torture Act, into law Monday. Animal rights activists were there with him in the Oval Office. President Trump called it a ‘very important…
President Trump to sign the PACT Act, criminalizing certain acts of animal cruelty
President Donald Trump is expected to sign into law the Preventing Animal Cruelty and Torture (PACT) Act. Trump is scheduled to sign the bill at in the Oval Office on Monday afternoon. Once signed, an offender of the law can…
U.S. Senate Passes Federal Anti-Cruelty Bill
Today, the U.S. Senate passed the Preventing Animal Cruelty and Torture (PACT) Act by unanimous consent. The bill, led by U.S. Sens. Pat Toomey (R-PA) and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), would establish the first federal anti-cruelty law. The House of Representatives…
House passes animal cruelty bill
Lawmakers across the nation are stepping up and speaking up in the fight against animal cruelty. The U.S. House of Representatives is taking steps to slap felony charges on anyone found guilty. Humane Society of South Mississippi Development Manager Katie…
U.S. House of Reps passes bill making animal cruelty a federal felony
The U.S. House of Representatives unanimously passed a bipartisan bill that would make animal cruelty a federal felony. The bipartisan bill was introduced by Florida Representative Ted Deutch and Representative Vern Buchanan. The bill would make it a federal offense…
Mississippi State football player pleads guilty to animal cruelty
MSU offensive lineman Michael Story pleaded guilty to animal cruelty on Tuesday in the Oktibbeha County Justice Court. He intentionally starved his ex-girlfriend’s Great Dane while he was watching the dog for her. His ex-girlfriend, Maryssa Edwards, rescued the dog.…
Gulfport PD rescued over 100 guinea pigs
On March 7, 2019 the Gulfport Police Department, assisted by the Humane Society of South Mississippi, rescued over 100 Guinea Pigs from a residence in the Southern Oaks Community. Officers were investigating a burglary at an unrelated address when they…
[Viewer discretion advised] Owner of dogs shot by arrow speak out
Last week, we brought you a story about an innocent dog that seemed to be used for target practice. Turns out that Ophelia was not the only one who fell victim to the arrow. The owners also found their other…
Dog abuse charges dropped
Animal cruelty charges have been dropped from a Gulfport man who was accused of beating his dog in December 2016. The Biloxi Municipal Court dismissed the charges on Billy Swain this morning due to lack of evidence. The video taken…
[Warning: Graphic Content] Woman Wanted for Cat Abuse Turns Herself In
The woman wanted in connection with the animal cruelty case in Moss Point is now facing charges after turning herself into police. We want to warn you before we show you this video. It may be disturbing to some. Twenty-three…