A joint law enforcement investigation across two Florida counties has resulted in the arrest of two men accused of abandoning nearly two dozen dogs on the side of a road in the middle of the night.
The case began on May 4, 2026, when St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office (SJSO) deputies responded to a report at the intersection of US-1 and County Road 204 in St. Augustine. There, they discovered 23 abandoned dogs.
According to SJSO Property Crimes detectives, 32-year-old Austin Moore removed the 23 dogs from his mother’s home in Palm Coast and drove them into St. Johns County. A second man, 23-year-old Anthony Dunham, followed Moore in a separate vehicle.
Investigators determined that the two men intentionally released and left the animals by the roadside. Three of the abandoned dogs died, while the remaining 20 were recovered and taken to local animal hospitals for medical treatment.
“We will not tolerate any degree of animal abuse or neglect in St. Johns County,” St. Johns County Sheriff Rob Hardwick said. “We are able to hold these suspects fully accountable through hard work and strong law enforcement partnerships. With the dedication of SJSO and FCSO teams, and the help of good Samaritans, the dogs are safe and receiving the care they deserve.”
The investigation expanded after SJSO intelligence analysts identified a suspect vehicle. This lead brought detectives from both the SJSO and the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office (FCSO) to a residence in Palm Coast belonging to 48-year-old Carolyn Loveman. At the home, authorities discovered more animals. Loveman was arrested by the FCSO in May and charged with one count of felony aggravated animal cruelty and 31 counts of misdemeanor cruelty to animals. Deputies removed 51 dogs from Loveman’s property, bringing the total number of dogs recovered across both county investigations to 74.
“That anyone could consider doing what these two men did to these innocent dogs is sickening,” Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly said. “We don’t tolerate animal cruelty, and our team assisted our law enforcement partners to find these men, put them in the Green Roof Inn, and rescue more dogs in the process.”
The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office arrested Moore and Dunham. Both men face three counts of felony aggravated animal cruelty and 20 counts of animal neglect.
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