JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Dawn Lipford was sentenced to five years of probation in Duval County after pleading guilty to felony animal cruelty for abandoning an extremely emaciated Great Dane named Miracle.
Judge Tatiana Salvador sentencing Lipford Wednesday after the woman who abandoned her dog on the side of the road changed her plea to guilty in July.
The case began last November when a Good Samaritan found the severely malnourished dog on West 45th Street in Jacksonville. The animal was cared for by veterinarians - who named the dog Miracle in the hopes in would survive - but it ultimately died.
As part of her probation, Lipford must register with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement under Dexter’s Law, a measure named after a shelter dog killed days after adoption that strengthens animal protection laws.
The law imposes a lifetime ban prohibiting Lipford from owning any animals, along with a restriction during her five-year probation period.
Salvador also ordered Lipford to complete 300 hours of community service in non-animal-related roles, undergo a mental health evaluation and pay $518 in court and public defender costs.
Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office deputies arrested Lipford on Nov. 7 following an investigation into the incident.
Lipford took the stand during her sentencing hearing to address her actions. She told the court that she was sick, lacked enough money to help the dog with his medical issues, and could not afford to put him down.
While admitting to abandoning the animal on the side of the road, Lipford maintained that “she did not kill the dog or want it to die.”
Expressing remorse during her testimony, Lipford said she was “very very sorry it still haunts me to this day.”
During cross-examination, state prosecutors pressed Lipford and suggested that she wanted the dog to die.
Lipford’s daughter, who was present on the day Miracle was dumped, also delivered emotional testimony.
Salvador addressed the court regarding the evidence before issuing the sentence.
“I don’t know if the starvation was done willfully and intentionally but you’re here for other actions. It’s for abandoning the dog on the side of the road,” Salvador said.
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