HAZELHURST, Miss. (March 14, 2025) — In Defense of Animals applauds the sentencing of Daniel Berthelette of Copiah County for aggravated animal cruelty after he dragged a neighbor’s dog, George, to death. The international animal protection organization, which operates Hope Animal Sanctuary in Carroll County and Justice for Animals Campaign in Montgomery County, has been campaigning to get justice for George since 2022.

Faced with overwhelming evidence that would be exposed in court, Berthelette conceded to a last-minute plea deal. Taking his age into account, he will be under house arrest with an ankle bracelet for one year with two years of supervised probation. He was also ordered to pay George’s family $1,000 restitution and to donate $4,000 to All About Animals Vet Clinic.

On Sept. 6, 2022, Berthelette wrapped a wire around George’s neck, attached it to his truck, and dragged him to death. Horrified witnesses reported how Berthelette stopped his vehicle to check on George, only to heartlessly continue dragging him. One witness attempted to intervene and release the whimpering and badly injured dog. Berthelette refused, saying, “I hate this dog,” before continuing his cruel act until George was dead.

The City of Crystal Springs investigated the despicable crime and the Crystal Springs Police Department arrested Berthelette on Sept. 14 after a city dumpster worker identified Berthelette as the man who had attempted to dispose of George’s body.

In Defense of Animals contacted George’s guardians, the Bush family, to assist them in gaining justice for the horrendous killing of their companion and best buddy to their son. On May 9, 2023, In Defense of Animals’ Justice for Animals Senior Campaigner, Doll Stanley, and Crystal Springs Mayor Sally Garland presented District Attorney Daniella M. Shorter with a letter signed by 17,328 advocates calling for the prosecution and maximum sentencing of Berthelette.

Mayor Garland embraced In Defense of Animals’ participation in seeking Berthelette’s prosecution after personally launching an investigation with Public Works Director Russell Brewer, which led to the successful identification of Berthelette as George’s killer.

“We are mortified and our hearts are broken over the very idea that someone could tie a wire around a dog’s neck and drag him,” said Garland. “We are very grateful for the outcome of this egregious cruelty case. We are a step closer to justice for our animals in Crystal Springs, Mississippi.”

“The unwarranted killing of a neighbor’s companion animal is horrifying enough — but to kill any animal  in such a brutal and callous manner is unthinkable,” said Stanley, who led the campaign to get justice for George. “We are grateful to Crystal Springs Mayor Sally Garland, City Prosecutor Campbell, Public Works Director Brewer, and the Crystal Springs Police Department for tracking down the perpetrator and recognizing the serious nature of this incident. Animal advocates were determined to see justice for George, his family, and all animals of Mississippi. We thank all our thousands of supporters who signed our letter to the district attorney, which we hand-delivered, and for her commitment to personally prosecute the case. May this be an example to those who would think to brutalize an animal.”

It is paramount that the legal system recognizes crimes like these are not just against animals, but against society itself. We call on all levels of the legal system to prevent such individuals from harming other vulnerable beings — both animals and humans — in the future.  

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Images (free for use with credit to the Bush Family): https://bit.ly/Justice4GeorgePix

Contacts: 

Doll Stanley, doll@idausa.org, (662) 809-4483
Mayor Sally Garland, sgarland_2000@yahoo.com, (601) 892-1210

Letter to D.A. Shorter:

RE: Prosecute Dog Dragging Case to the Fullest Extent

I am writing to you, standing with Crystal Springs Mayor Sally Garland and thousands of animal advocates, to support you in the prosecution of Daniel Berthelette, who was charged with heinously killing his neighbor’s dog, George.

On Sept. 6. 2022, Berthelette maliciously collared George with a wire, hooked him to the rear of his truck, and dragged him to his death. Berthelette’s gruesome crime was witnessed first when he stopped, either to see if George was still being dragged or if he was dead. The witnesses reported the truck’s license plate and the description of the truck to the police.

Berthelette was later turned away from a city dumpster when Public Works employees witnessed him trying to dispose of George.

The City of Crystal Springs investigated the despicable crime and Daniel Berthelette was arrested on Sept. 14, 2022.

This defendant deserves no plea bargains, no leniency, only maximum sentencing. Also, before he is released, he must have a mental evaluation and anger management classes or therapy and not be allowed to live with animals. I will be following each proceeding in this case. Thank you for taking this and all cases you prosecute with the seriousness they warrant.

Signed by 17,328 In Defense of Animals supporters

In Defense of Animals is an international animal protection organization with over 250,000 supporters defending animals, people, and the environment through education and campaigns, as well as hands-on rescue facilities in central California, India, South Korea, and rural Mississippi since 1983.  www.idausa.org/justice4animals                      

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