The dog was malnourished and unable to walk, Hernando deputies said.

BROOKSVILLE – Hernando County animal enforcement officers have accused a Brooksville man of cruelty to one of his pit bulls named Chi Chi.

Deandre Jaleel Goodson, 21, of 871 Josephine St., was charged with one count of animal cruelty, according to the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office.

Deputies said a Hernando County Sheriff’s Office animal enforcement officer was called to the 800 block of Leonard Street in Brooksville on Dec. 21 to investigate a report of a dog bite. The caller said he was bitten by a pit bull that was running loose in the neighborhood. The officer said he discovered the Deandre Goodson, lived nearby at 871 Josephine St.

The officer said he contacted the homeowner who told him that Goodson cared for all the dogs living on the property. The homeowner gave law enforcement permission to search the property.

Once in the backyard the officer said he found three pit bulls, two of which were on heavy chains and did not appear to have any water. A female pit bull named Chi Chi was found on the side of the house and appeared to be in distress. The officer said the dog appeared malnourished and had extensive scaring on her face and on the front of her body. The dog was unable to walk under its own power. The officer said the dog’s ears appeared to be mutilated and healed over.

The homeowner told the officer that the dog had had puppies and had eaten them. Deputies said they received permission to remove the dog from the property. Chi Chi was taken to Animal Services for immediate medical attention. The veterinarian told deputies the dog had numerous injuries and was suffering from neglect.

Goodson met deputies at the Hernando County Animal Services offices in Brooksville. They said Goodson told them that a friend had given him Chi Chi about a year ago. He also told them Chi Chi had gotten out of the yard a couple of months ago and he had only recently found her and brought her back home. Deputies said Goodson confirmed Chi Chi gave birth to two puppies about two week ago but had eaten them.

Goodson told deputies he feeds Chi Chi regularly and wasn’t sure why the dog was so skinny. He said the dog’s injuries were the result of the other two dogs attacking her. Deputies said Goodson told them he chose not to seek treatment for the injured dog.

For information about the Hernando sheriff, go to hernandosheriff.org.

Hernando Sheriff | Animal Cruelty | Crime | Arrests | Tampa Bay Reporter

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