Stuart man gets 5-years in prison for vicious beating of 9-year-old Golden Retriever ‘Stella’
On August 21, Florida’s Martin County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) provided an update on an animal cruelty case that went down in August 2024 when deputies arrested then 24-year-old Donald Stickens of Stuart, Florida, on animal cruelty charges. The helpless dog Stickens mercilessly beat belonged to his girlfriend.
According to the Sheriff’s Office, Stickens was caught on camera repeatedly strangling and punching a nine-year-old golden retriever named “Stella.” The disturbing video showed the dog being lifted off the ground by her neck, hung by her leash, and punched in the face.
Last week, Judge William Roby of the 19th Judicial Circuit issued the maximum penalty allowed under law – five years in state prison for the felony count of animal cruelty. The Sheriff’s Office also shared a recent picture of Stella, who is safely with her owner and doing very well. See above.
The Martin County Sheriff’s Office wants to be absolutely clear: we will not tolerate any form of animal cruelty, abuse, or abandonment. Every allegation will be fully investigated, and when evidence proves a crime, the abuser will be arrested and prosecuted. ~ MCSO
What Are the Penalties for Animal Cruelty in Florida? According to Lawyers.com, Misdemeanor animal cruelty offenses can be punished by up to a year in jail or a fine of up to $5,000, or both. Third-degree felonies can result in up to five years in prison or a fine of up to $10,000, or both. People convicted of cruelty to animals can be prohibited from having pets for a period of time. (Fla. Stat. § 828.12 (2025).)
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Florida Scanner posted a surveillance video of the abuse on their Instagram page. Be forewarned that the images are extremely disturbing.
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DBPY93CqVdfhttps://www.instagram.com/reel/DBPY93CqVdf
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(Source: Martin County Sheriff’s Office)
Posted by Richard Webster, Ace News Today
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