HOLMES COUNTY, Fla. (WDNews) — According to the Holmes County Sheriff’s Office, a welfare check on Wednesday led to the arrest of a man on animal cruelty and drug charges.
Deputies responded July 29 to a residence on Highway 179-A to conduct a welfare check on John Hoover. When they arrived, deputies found a deceased dog on the front porch and several other dogs on the property that appeared to be in poor health and neglected.
According to the sheriff’s office, deputies attempted to make contact with Hoover, but he refused to come outside and would only communicate with his sister by telephone.
An Animal Control investigator responded to the scene and obtained an arrest warrant charging Hoover with animal cruelty, along with a search warrant for the residence.
When deputies returned to serve the warrants, authorities said Hoover attempted to flee on foot but was quickly taken into custody.
During a search of the residence, deputies said they found methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia.
Hoover was arrested and charged with animal cruelty, possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia, and resisting an officer without violence.
According to the sheriff’s office, the surviving dogs that deputies and Animal Control officers were able to safely capture were removed from the property and transported to an animal shelter for evaluation and care.
