The veterinarian who examined the now-deceased dog, Tristan, called it “one of the most severe and disturbing cases of animal cruelty” they’ve encountered.
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Officers with Animal Care and Protective Services are searching for the people who may be responsible for the death of a dog found abandoned and suffering at a Jacksonville park.
In a social media post, the agency said a cash reward is being offered for information in the case of the dog now known as Tristan.
ACPS says it responded to a call about the dog on Tuesday, Jan. 20, after he was spotted pacing alone at the park located at 7754 Wheat Road in the Jacksonville Heights area. The caller reportedly told the agency that they saw two people walk into the park with him and then leave.
Tristan was a medium-sized senior white dog with brown spots and floppy ears.
The following photo and description of the dog’s condition may be disturbing 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.