The woman tied to the death of a three-year-old Great Dane in Jacksonville was sentenced to 5 years of probation Wednesday for aggravated animal cruelty.
The woman, 43-year-old Dawn Lipford, is now a felon and will be added to Florida’s Aggravated Animal Cruelty offender database. She will also be barred from owning any pets during her probation.
The judge cited Lipford’s lack of a criminal history, bad health and the lack of care options for her children if she were to be incarcerated.
In November 2025, Animal Care and Protective Services shared a post on social media about Miracle, who was found abandoned on the side of a road, severely emaciated. Miracle was humanely euthanized due to the severity of his condition. The story of Miracle quickly gained traction across the First Coast, prompting an $8,000 reward for any information regarding Miracle’s death.
The investigator who worked the case said the Purina Body Condition Score was used when evaluating Miracle’s health, and while it typically ranges from 1 to 9, Miracle scored a .5 due to his weight and was found to be gravely dehydrated with open wounds across his body.
Days later, Lipford was arrested in connection with Miracle’s death, whose real name was later identified as Oakleaf. She was charged with one count of aggravated animal cruelty.
Lipford had initially pleaded not guilty to the charge; however, in July 2026, she reversed her plea.