Man Charged Over Dozens of Neglected Dogs

A Broward County man was charged after deputies said they found 23 neglected dogs, including 14 puppies, at his Oakland Park home. (local10.com) Broward Sheriff’s Office deputies arrested Jamar Clair, 46, on Wednesday, April 22, and prosecutors filed a 41-count third-degree felony case against him the next day, court records cited by Local 10 show. (local10.com) Deputies said the dogs included nine adult pit bulls or pit bull mixes and 14 puppies estimated to be 3 to 4 weeks old. Investigators reported 13 dogs in the front yard and seven in the backyard during one visit. (local10.com) The arrest report said one dog had a severe eye infection that needed treatment, and deputies said dogs in the backyard showed signs of abuse and neglect. Investigators also reported a strong odor of feces, piles of waste in the yard, flies on the property, and puppies kept in a cage without water. (local10.com; local10.com) Florida law makes animal cruelty a first-degree misdemeanor and aggravated animal cruelty a third-degree felony when a person’s acts or failure to act cause excessive or repeated unnecessary pain or suffering. Broward County Animal Care tells residents to report suspected abuse through its animal cruelty system. (flsenate.gov; broward.org) The case also turned on what happened after deputies came back. Local 10 reported that investigators returned the next day and found that 14 puppies and three adult dogs had been removed, leaving six adult dogs still at the house before authorities later took the remaining animals. (local10.com; local10.com) Clair’s relatives told the judge in bond court that the dogs belonged to someone else and that he was caring for them as a favor. A prosecutor responded that once a person accepts responsibility for animals, that person is responsible for their care. (local10.com) A woman identified by Local 10 as Clair’s fiancée said she fed the dogs twice a day and denied that the animals were neglected. She also said some of the dogs were being kept temporarily for a friend. (local10.com) The judge ordered Clair to stay away from animals, and Local 10 reported he refused to appear in bond court. He was being held on $75,000 bond as of Thursday, April 23. (local10.com; local10.com) Oakland Park is a Broward County city of about 45,771 people, according to the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2024 estimate. In this case, the next steps are in court, where prosecutors will have to prove the cruelty and obstruction allegations beyond a reasonable doubt. (census.gov; local10.com)