Gainesville woman arrested for cruelty to dog for failing to treat broken leg

Staff report

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Danielle Juliet Mitchell, 35, has been charged with felony animal cruelty after allegedly failing to treat her dog’s broken leg.

Alachua County Animal Resources reported in March 2024 that she went to Mitchell’s house after receiving a complaint that a dog had an untreated broken leg. She said Mitchell asserted that the dog was well cared for and that she had recently taken it to a veterinarian, who deemed that the dog’s leg was completely healed and advised against re-breaking the bone.

The investigator reported that the dog, a small chihuahua, moved one of its front legs “at a 90-degree angle outward.”

The investigator obtained records from the veterinarian and reported that according to the records, Mitchell declined X-rays and pain medication recommended by the veterinarian. Staff at the office reportedly confirmed that the owner had rejected all services related to the dog’s leg and that the dog was suffering. A staff member reportedly said that the dog’s leg had not healed, as Mitchell had claimed.

The investigator reported that she called Mitchell and said legal action would be taken if she failed to provide medical care to the dog; she said Mitchell assured her that she would make an appointment for the next day.

The investigator called the veterinarian the next day and reported that she was told Mitchell had not made an appointment or brought the dog to the office. The investigator went to Mitchell’s residence and ordered her to provide care for the dog that day and that charges would be brought against her if she failed to do that. The investigator reported that Mitchell loaded her vehicle, but before leaving, she yelled at the investigator to leave her property and called the police.

The investigator left and reported that she received a call from the veterinarian a short time later, saying Mitchell was there with the dog; after consulting with the investigator, the veterinarian’s staff allowed Mitchell to drop off the dog to receive care.

However, a short time later, the investigator reported that the veterinarian’s office called to say Mitchell had refused all services and would pick up the dog within half an hour. The investigator requested assistance from a law enforcement officer and went to the veterinarian’s office.

The investigator reported that she loaded the dog into her County vehicle; when Mitchell came to collect her dog, she asked why Mitchell had refused the recommended services, and Mitchell reportedly said she couldn’t afford the $75 exam fee. The investigator decided to impound the dog for an investigation.

After performing X-rays, the County shelter veterinarian reported that the dog’s leg had broken at the growth plate and the only treatment was amputation, due to where the break was. The veterinarian reportedly said the dog was in severe pain and suffering. No further information was provided about the treatment of the dog.

A sworn complaint was filed in June, and Mitchell was arrested on November 3. She posted $25,000 bail and was released; a formal felony charge of aggravated animal cruelty has now been filed.

Mitchell is also facing a Notice to Appear for failing to send her child to school; according to the truancy affidavit, her child had 60 unexcused absences in the 2023-24 school year, with 21 of those absences within a 90-day period. A school board attorney reported that district staff had made diligent efforts to contact the parent and student to ensure the student’s attendance. A formal misdemeanor charge of failing to require a student to attend school was filed in October, and a court date has been set in December.

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.