Galena man arrested on animal abuse charges
January 22, 2024
By Jason Wert, [email protected]
A Galena man is facing charges after 55 dogs were found on his property without adequate shelter, food or water. There were also multiple animals found deceased on the property. Photo: Stone Count Sheriff’s Office.
A Galena man is potentially facing a large number of criminal charges in connection with a raid by the Stone County Sheriff’s Office, related to an animal abuse investigation.
John Maxwell Griffiths is out of the Stone County Jail on $10,000 bond after being charged with 29 counts of animal abuse, a class A misdemeanor. Stone County Prosecuting Attorney Wes Weber told the Branson Tri-Lakes News the investigation is ongoing so charges could change when the investigation is complete.
“Anybody with any information pertaining to this investigation is encouraged to contact the Stone County Sheriff’s Office,” Weber said.
The Stone County Sheriff’s Office said they were sent to a location off Camp Clark Hill Road in Galena after the Humane Society of Missouri’s Animal Cruelty Task Force received reports of animal abuse taking place. When a deputy arrived at the property, he found dozens of animals in distress and called for multiple deputies to assist.
Further investigation found 55 dogs of all ages in pens, tied to trees, or tied to shelters exposed to the bitter cold. Most of the animals had no access to food and/or water.
The deputies also found the bodies of multiple animals, both dogs and goats, inside shelters, chained to trees, or in a burn pile. Causes of deaths have not been determined at this time.
The sheriff’s office contacted the Missouri Humane Society to send in an emergency rescue team because of the amount of injured animals found at the site. A representative of MHS reached the site and immediately called for a full response team from St. Louis.
MHS stated on social media they had taken dozens of “severely malnourished” animals to their St. Louis shelter for emergency veterinary care.
“The fact that these animals have had to suffer and that so many animals died from living without food or shelter is devastating,” HSMO President Kathy Warnick said in a statement. “We appreciate the swift action and support of the Stone County authorities in making this rescue possible. Without immediate intervention, I don’t know how many more of these animals would have died. Now that they are safe, we hope we can count on the community’s support as we do everything in our power to care for these dogs and give them a second chance at a happier life.”
MHS officials stated they found 15 deceased dogs in addition to the 55 live rescues.
If Griffiths is convicted on all counts currently against him, he could face a maximum of a year in jail and up to a $2,000 fine on each count.
John Maxwell Griffiths is out of the Stone County Jail on $10,000 bond after being charged with 29 counts of animal abuse, a class A misdemeanor. Stone County Prosecuting Attorney Wes Weber told the Branson Tri-Lakes News the investigation is ongoing so charges could change when the investigation is complete.
“Anybody with any information pertaining to this investigation is encouraged to contact the Stone County Sheriff’s Office,” Weber said.
The Stone County Sheriff’s Office said they were sent to a location off Camp Clark Hill Road in Galena after the Humane Society of Missouri’s Animal Cruelty Task Force received reports of animal abuse taking place. When a deputy arrived at the property, he found dozens of animals in distress and called for multiple deputies to assist.
Further investigation found 55 dogs of all ages in pens, tied to trees, or tied to shelters exposed to the bitter cold. Most of the animals had no access to food and/or water.
The deputies also found the bodies of multiple animals, both dogs and goats, inside shelters, chained to trees, or in a burn pile. Causes of deaths have not been determined at this time.
The sheriff’s office contacted the Missouri Humane Society to send in an emergency rescue team because of the amount of injured animals found at the site. A representative of MHS reached the site and immediately called for a full response team from St. Louis.
MHS stated on social media they had taken dozens of “severely malnourished” animals to their St. Louis shelter for emergency veterinary care.
“The fact that these animals have had to suffer and that so many animals died from living without food or shelter is devastating,” HSMO President Kathy Warnick said in a statement. “We appreciate the swift action and support of the Stone County authorities in making this rescue possible. Without immediate intervention, I don’t know how many more of these animals would have died. Now that they are safe, we hope we can count on the community’s support as we do everything in our power to care for these dogs and give them a second chance at a happier life.”
MHS officials stated they found 15 deceased dogs in addition to the 55 live rescues.
If Griffiths is convicted on all counts currently against him, he could face a maximum of a year in jail and up to a $2,000 fine on each count.