Three accused of cruelty to animals

Three accused of cruelty to animals

Three local defendants have been arrested for allegedly causing the suffering and deaths of several dogs by starvation and neglect, according to the Cook County Sheriff’s Office.

Mandalin Nichole Watkins, 36, Jonathan Michael Burke, 28, and James Lee Definbaugh, 35, all of a River Trace Road, Hahira, address, were arrested Dec. 17, 2024, and each was charged with aggravated cruelty to animals (two counts) and cruelty to animals (four counts), according to the Sheriff’s Office. Ms. Watkins also was charged with failure to appear for a fingerprintable charge – misdemeanor.

According to warrants taken by Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations, during offense times between Dec. 1 and Dec. 15, 2024, at the River Trace Road address, the defendants caused the suffering of a female dog named “Tinkerbell,” a female dog named “Bella,” a male dog named “Sammy,” and a black/blue pit bull named “Jingle” by neglect. The animals did not have adequate food or water, and their bodies showed signs of starvation, warrants state.

Warrants further state that during offense times between Dec. 1 and Dec. 13, 2024, at the River Trace Road address, the defendants “willingly and knowingly and maliciously” caused the death of a hound dog. Authorities found the dog’s body outside the residence in a penned-in area. “The animal’s rib cage was showing, and the dog did not have adequate food or water,” warrants state. The Sheriff’s Office Animal Investigator took the body, which was sent to a veterinary lab for a necropsy.

The defendants also allegedly caused the death of five mixed breed dogs. “The animals were not provided with adequate food, shelter, or mandatory vaccinations, to maintain quality health and life for the animals,” warrants state.

“The animals were disposed of at the time of death by James Definbaugh by burying said animals in the backyard,” warrants add.

All parties living in the house were responsible for the care of the animals, according to the warrants.

Ms. Watkins was released from the Cook County Jail Dec. 19 on a $24,000 property bond. Court records state that she has resided three years at her current home address, has been employed, and has requested a court-appointed defense attorney.

On Dec. 19, Cook County Magistrate Judge Ronnie Fender set bond for Definbaugh at $24,000 (property). Court records state that he has resided four years at his current home address, is not employed, and has requested a court-appointed defense attorney.

Burke was released from jail Dec. 27 on a $24,000 property bond. Court records state that he has resided four years at his current home address, is not employed, and has requested a court-appointed defense attorney.   

Bond conditions for all the defendants include shall not possess any animals or pets.

On Jan. 7, 2023, deputies responded to the same incident location in reference to a physical dispute between neighbors. Reports state that one of the dogs, Bella, knocked a 6-year-old girl off her bike and bit the girl on her right leg. The dog was taken into custody and held at the Adel Animal Control Shelter because it didn’t have rabies shots. It was unknown as to when a rabies shot had been given to any other dog on the property, the report states. Burke was arrested on an outstanding warrant for the Nashville Police Department.

Definbaugh and Ms. Watkins were previously arrested on April 29, 2023, for simple battery/family violence, court records state.