Eight Micanopy residents charged with cruelty to animals, including 19 malnourished dogs and 5 dead puppies

BY JENNIFER CABRERA

Four Micanopy residents were arrested yesterday afternoon and sworn complaints were filed against four more residents in the area after investigators found 19 malnourished dogs, two dead puppies, and three puppy skeletons.

Alachua County Sheriff’s deputies and Alachua County Animal Control responded to the 17400 block of SW CR 234 yesterday after a report of animal cruelty and found a large number of dogs in “obviously frail and neglected condition.” They reported that “several dogs could be heard yelping and wailing in physical pain.”

They reported that they saw young puppies lying in the driveway, too weak to physically stand on their own. Other “extremely malnourished” dogs were around the house. All dogs also had a large number of fleas and ticks, “with flies circling them.”

The four who were arrested – Erin Douglas, William Garcia, Dawson Hicks, and Kimberly Hicks – are residents of the address where the dogs were found. Steven Lancaster lives in a camper on the property. William Ferguson, Sr., and Debra Ferguson live next door and said they assist in the care and custody of the dogs, and Stephanie Prentzler lives in a shed at the property next door.

According to the report, investigators found 19 dogs alive, along with five dead dogs, three of which were skeletal remains only. Three living puppies were found in a cage with the two dead puppies. The living puppies were lying on top of the dead animals, which were in the water bowl inside the cage. The cage and water bowl both had obvious mold on them. Two other dogs were found in cages in the wood without any food or water. One female dog had several puppies who were too weak to stand on their own; the female dog was malnourished and injured but was still trying to care for the puppies and pull them under a vehicle to get out of the rain.

Six more dogs were inside the house, which did not appear to have electricity or running water except in one bedroom, but the dogs did not have access to that room. According to the report, animal feces littered the house, and there were holes in the flooring. Large amounts of trash littered the front yard, and the camper had an open waste line that poured human feces directly onto the ground.

Investigators concluded that all animals on the property “showed signs of a long-term lack of care and treatment for their lives. The lack of food, water, clean or adequate shelter, and veterinary care directly led to the condition of and death of several of the dogs on the property. All residents on the property assisted in the animals receiving the treatment they did and were directly responsible for their care yet all failed to take action to protect these animals from death and unnecessary pain and suffering. Their pain and suffering was shown not only through their physical ailments but also by yelping heard from multiple animals.”

Erin Alexandra Douglas, 27, has been arrested and charged with 24 counts of aggravated animal cruelty (all 3rd-degree felonies) and 5 counts of unlawful disposal of a dead animal. Post Miranda, she reportedly said she had recently moved back into the residence after being gone for a few months and that several of the dogs were hers. She has been released on her own recognizance with the condition that she not possess any animals while the case is pending.

Debra Ann Ferguson, 63, has been charged with 24 counts of aggravated animal cruelty and 5 counts of unlawful disposal of a dead animal via sworn complaint.

William K. Ferguson, Sr., 69, has been charged with 24 counts of aggravated animal cruelty and 5 counts of unlawful disposal of a dead animal via sworn complaint.

William Cecil Garcia, 27, has been arrested and charged with 24 counts of aggravated animal cruelty and 5 counts of unlawful disposal of a dead animal. Post Miranda, he reportedly said he had lived at the house since December of 2021 and that he feeds the animals at times, along with the other residents. He also reportedly told deputies that the three skeletons belonged to three puppies that had died about a month ago when it was cold and that they were buried behind a camper on the property. The investigators reported that three small dog skeletons were found above ground in that area. He has been released on his own recognizance with the condition that he not possess any animals while the case is pending.

Clayton Andrew Green, 39, is listed as a co-defendant and a resident of the property where the dogs were found, but no charges are listed at this time.

Dawson Alan Hicks, 22, has been arrested and charged with 24 counts of aggravated animal cruelty and 5 counts of unlawful disposal of a dead animal. He has been released on his own recognizance with the condition that he not possess any animals while the case is pending.

Kimberly Ann Hicks, 43, has been arrested and charged with 24 counts of aggravated animal cruelty and 5 counts of unlawful disposal of a dead animal. Post Miranda, she reportedly said she took over care of the dogs after her ex-boyfriend moved out over a month ago and that she knew they needed help but had not contacted anyone for assistance other than trying to get Green to take them. She has been released on her own recognizance with the condition that she not possess any animals while the case is pending.

Steven D. Lancaster, 60, has been charged with 24 counts of aggravated animal cruelty, 5 counts of unlawful disposal of a dead animal, and one count of dumping raw human waste via sworn complaint.

Stephanie Marie Prentzler, 38, has been charged with 24 counts of aggravated animal cruelty and 5 counts of unlawful disposal of a dead animal via sworn complaint.

Articles about arrests are based on reports from law enforcement agencies. The charges listed are taken from the arrest report and/or court records and are only accusations. All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.