On Monday (Nov 6), Circuit Judge Donna Goerner sentenced Dennis VANN JR (58), to 364 days in county jail and ten (10) years of probation, after finding him guilty on ten (10) counts of Cruelty to Animals (M1), and two (2) counts of Cruelty to Animals with Death, Pain or Suffering (F3), in a non-jury trial ending on October 18, 2023.

 

Assistant State Attorney Monica Hale presented witness testimony and evidence in the four-day trial that had VANN facing fourteen (14) criminal charges, including four (4) felony counts of Cruelty to Animals with Death, Pain, or Suffering. Judge Goerner acquitted VANN on two of those counts. At sentencing the State requested five (5) years in state prison. Judge Goerner ordered VANN to serve consecutive five (5) year terms of supervised probation for each of the two felony counts (10 years total), and 364 days in county jail served concurrently for each of the ten misdemeanor counts (364 days total). VANN was credited with 29 days for time served.

 

On March 9, 2022, the Sanford Police Department executed a search warrant at a home on W. 15th Street in Sanford. While there they discovered 14 penned dogs in poor living conditions and suffering from varying states of neglect, malnutrition, and untreated injuries including lacerations, open sores, and infections. The dogs were removed from the home and provided medical care by Seminole County Animal Services. An investigation revealed that VANN was the owner of the animals and was responsible for their care. He was arrested on March 15, 2022. 

 

12 of the dogs have since recovered and some have been adopted to new homes. Two dogs had to be humanely euthanized. 

 

VANN will remain in custody at the Seminole County Jail awaiting trial on outstanding Possession of Cocaine (F3), and Possession of a Firearm by Convicted Felon charges. No trial date has been set in that case.

 

 

 

Requests for additional information on the rescue, care, and placement of the animals can be directed to:

 

Andy Wontor
Seminole County Public Communications Specialist
Office of Communications

O: (407) 665-1175  |  C: (305) 338-5851

awontor@seminolecountyfl.gov