In Jefferson County, Alabama, a man faces animal cruelty charges after an anonymous tip-off prompted action by the local sheriff’s office. The arrest followed the information received on a Sunday.
The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office reports that an off-duty deputy, who regularly oversees the Mount Olive vicinity, was alerted by an anonymous source. The tip included video evidence allegedly showing a man attempting to abandon two dogs along Woodward Road.
Officers were dispatched to the 6000 block of Lakeside Drive to assess the animals’ situation. Upon their arrival, it became evident that both dogs were suffering from malnutrition and were living in substandard conditions.
An investigator from Jefferson County Animal Control advised that the suspect, identified as Delmetrius Bishop, age 38, be detained. Subsequently, Bishop was taken into custody and transported to the Jefferson County Jail without any complications.
The dogs were then taken to the Greater Birmingham Humane Society, where they are receiving necessary examinations and care.
“Our deputies did a great job on using the information and evidence received from a citizen to make an arrest,” Jefferson County Sheriff Mark Pettway said in a statement. “We always say, ‘See something, say something,’ and that’s exactly what happened. The information they provided made a big difference.”
Bishop was charged with first-degree animal cruelty with a $15,000 bond and second-degree animal cruelty with a $6,000 bond. He has since been released from the Jefferson County Jail.
Anyone with information on this case is asked to contact the JCSO at 205-325-1450 or Crime Stoppers at 205-254-7777.