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Thursday, March 28, 2024

Dunnellon brothers charged with animal cruelty after deceased dog found hanging on fence

Two brothers from Dunnellon have been charged with aggravated animal cruelty after a deceased dog was found hanging by a chain over a fence on their property.

On Thursday, January 12, a Marion County Animal Services animal control officer and Marion County Sheriff’s Office corporal responded to a residence located on SW 47th Street in Dunnellon in reference to a large brown dog that was found hanging on a fence, according to the MCSO report.

Upon arrival, the officer and corporal made contact with the male reportee who advised that he observed the dog “midway down his east fence line” when he returned home. When he noticed that the dog was motionless, the reportee contacted Animal Services.

The MCSO report identified the dog as “Ginger.” The corporal noted that a red nylon collar was around Ginger’s neck, and it was connected to a dog chain with a “spring type clip.”

Ginger’s body was lowered to the ground, wrapped in plastic bags, and then placed into an Animal Services truck.

The reportee told the corporal that the dog belonged to his neighbors, and he stated that he does not have any contact with them since “they do not get along.”

An MCSO deputy arrived on scene just as the officer and corporal were knocking on the front door of the residence belonging to the reportee’s neighbors. According to the MCSO report, a man identified as 24-year-old Kane Michael Beebee stepped outside the residence.

Kane Michael Beebee
Kane Michael Beebee

When Kane was asked about Ginger, he advised that the dog belonged to one of his relatives. Kane told investigators that he had been caring for the dog with his brother, 19-year-old Dakotah James Beebee, while the relative was in rehab.

Dakotah James Beebee
Dakotah James Beebee

The MCSO report stated that Kane was asked about Ginger’s whereabouts, and he claimed that the dog was in his room. While Kane was searching inside the home for Ginger, his father arrived at the residence and told investigators that his two sons were responsible for the dog.

The corporal noted in the report that Kane returned outside and told investigators that Ginger must have been “put on the chain.” He was then informed that Ginger was deceased.

Kane’s brother, Dakotah, stepped outside the residence and spoke with investigators. Dakotah advised that Ginger was put on the chain at 7 a.m. When asked if they checked on Ginger, the brothers stated that the dog was “good” and “stayed outside on the chain all day, all the time.”

Kane and Dakotah told investigators that they would bring Ginger into the residence when it got dark outside.

According to the MCSO report, Kane and Dakotah led investigators to the area where they would keep Ginger, and a 15-foot-long chain was observed against the fence, along with a small trailer and two empty bowls that were upside down.

Both brothers told investigators that they did not provide food or water for Ginger outside. They stated that food and water was given to Ginger inside the residence at night.

In the MCSO report, the corporal noted that Ginger was tethered outside at 7 a.m. and remained there unchecked until the neighbor observed the dog’s body at 4:45 p.m. During this time, the dog was unsupervised without food, water, or proper shelter.

The corporal also noted in the report that Ginger appeared to have jumped over the nearby fence and ended up hanging by the collar and chain until ultimately passing away.

On Friday, January 13, Animal Services staff examined Ginger’s body and confirmed that the dog died due to strangulation. There was also “significant darkening of the skin” around Ginger’s stomach and hind legs, which indicated that Ginger had been hanging for an extended period of time, according to the MCSO report.

Kane and Dakotah were arrested, transported to Marion County Jail, and they were later released on $2,000 bond. They are both facing a felony charge for aggravated animal cruelty.

A court date has not been scheduled yet, according to jail records.