(Marion County, FL) The Fifth Judicial Circuit State Attorney’s Office announces the sentencing of 41-year-old Jeremiah Woodland for three counts of Felony Aggravated Animal Cruelty and two counts of Misdemeanor Cruelty to Animals. Judge Steve Rogers adjudicated Woodland guilty and sentenced him to three years in the Florida Department of Corrections, followed by two years of probation.
“The deaths of these two dogs were the tragic result of a defendant’s failure to provide even the most basic necessities of life,” stated Bill Gladson, State Attorney. “No animal should be forced to endure deplorable living conditions, neglect, and suffering at the hands of the person responsible for its care. While this was a heartbreaking and entirely preventable loss of life, I am proud of our prosecutors and our Animal Cruelty Task Force for holding this offender accountable and pursuing justice on behalf of the animals who cannot speak for themselves.”
In November of 2024, deputies with the Marion County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) responded to Woodland’s residence off of NE 169th Avenue in Silver Springs to assist Animal Services with a search and seizure warrant.
While executing the warrant, officials made entry into the residence where they were met with an overwhelming smell of feces, ammonia, and decay. The floors of the home appeared to be covered with feces and urine. Inside, authorities discovered two deceased dogs, one in a crate and one on the dining room floor.
Animal Services personnel removed six other malnourished and flea-infested dogs from the property. While speaking with neighbors, investigators learned that the defendant had not been seen at the home for at least one month. A witness advised Woodland was residing at another address less than a mile away from the home.
MCSO Agriculture Corporal Manning and Animal Services Investigators McClure and Trail traveled to the provided address to locate the defendant. Woodland was interviewed about the animals at his home located off NE 169th Avenue. The defendant advised the home had been without electricity or water for over a month and that he would feed the animals a bag of dog food on occasion and that he filled his above-ground pool with water for them.
During the walk-through of the property, officials did not locate any food inside or outside the home for the animals to access. Additionally, the pool in the backyard was not accessible to the animals and was observed to be greenish-black in color with larvae swimming in it.
A necropsy was performed on both deceased dogs, Jewel and Luna, to determine the cause of death. Following the findings of the necropsy, along with the evidence collected from the home of the defendant, Woodland was subsequently arrested and charged.
Assistant State Attorneys Caley Chappel and Madison Bryan successfully prosecuted this case. Thank you to the Marion County Sheriff’s Office and Marion County Animal Services for their diligent work in this case.
Published on 10/30/2026.