Injured GPD officer kills dog in self-defense, dog owner charged with trespassing and culpable negligence
Staff report
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Jennifer Leigh Secreto, 42, and Jasson Edward Joseph Secreto, 41, were arrested yesterday for trespassing after a previous warning; during the arrest, their dog reportedly attacked an officer, who shot and killed the dog in self-defense.
At about 6:40 a.m. on August 8, Gainesville Police Department (GPD) officers were conducting a trespassing enforcement detail at the property owner’s request at an encampment north of NE 31st Avenue, near NE 9th Street.
Officers made contact with Jennifer Secreto, confirmed that she had previously been trespassed from the property, and arrested her for trespass after warning.
Officers also heard the couple’s dog barking aggressively and were familiar with the dog from a previous interaction on August 5 in which Jasson Secreto was reportedly told that he needed to secure the dog, a pit bull mix, on a leash during contact with law enforcement.
Jasson Secreto reportedly came out of a wooden structure that was built around a fallen tree, holding the dog’s harness; the structure had a door with a handle but no lock or door frame to secure the door. Jasson Secreto reportedly warned that the dog would bite, and officers told him to secure the dog and come out of the structure; Jasson Secreto left the dog inside the structure, placing an unfilled five-gallon jug in front of the door, and came outside.
Because Jasson Secreto had previously been trespassed from the property, he was arrested, and a short time later, the dog pushed its way out of the structure and bit a GPD officer multiple times, causing lacerations to his left forearm, a torn right earlobe, and puncture wounds to his head; the officer discharged his firearm to prevent further injury, killing the dog. The officer was transported to an emergency room, where he received seven stitches.
Jennifer Secreto has been charged with trespass after warning. Her full criminal history is unavailable, but she has about six felony convictions (non-violent) and 10 misdemeanor convictions (one violent). Judge Kristine Van Vorst set bail at $2,000.
Jasson Secreto has been charged with trespass after warning and culpable negligence leading to personal injury, and he was also booked for violating probation. His full criminal history is unavailable, but he has at least 17 felony convictions (non-violent) and six misdemeanor convictions (non-violent) and is currently on probation for stealing a mower from a church; he was cited in 2013 for failure to control a dog but never paid the fine. Judge Van Vorst set bail at $105,000.
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.
Never will understand why people like this have animals, they can barely provide for themselves – let alone a dog.
For protection and companionship. But you’re right: you can’t understand a situation you know nothing about. I can’t understand why a lot of people, you included, say and do the things they do. But I’m not them.
Easy to understand why you don’t understand too.
That dog most definitely needed to be put down. I am sorry the officer was injured and hope he heals quickly.
Her photo is so sad… She looks broken. I hope she can get her life turned around.
I feel sorry for the dog. Sad he was raised this way.
The term “Animal” should be used on the two-legged criminals.
Poverty in Gainesville is so bad. Finding a decent job so you can afford the ridiculous cost of living is next to impossible. Gainesville is not what it used to be. Greed and corruption have ruined a beautiful place.
That is the roughest 42 I have ever seen.
17! Count them Mr. State Attorney, seventeen FELONY convictions and this guy is still on the street.
No one is safe in the 8th! Homicide..cut em loose. Agg battery..cut em loose.
Quick healing Officer.