CARROLLTON, Miss. (Nov. 2, 2023) — In Defense of Animals, which operates Hope Animal Sanctuary and the Justice for Animals Campaign in Mississippi, applauds the grand jury indictment of Michael Edward Bobbitt and Christy Bobbitt on charges of bestiality, sexual assault, and aggravated animal cruelty. 

On Nov. 11, 2022, the Carroll County Sheriff’s Department served Bobbitt with a search and seizure order, seizing evidence that included a computer. He was arrested and booked at the Carroll Montgomery Regional Correctional Facility. 

Four dogs were removed from the Bobbitts’ property and taken to In Defense of Animals’ Hope Animal Sanctuary in Grenada for care and their adoption into loving homes. 

Michael Bobbitt was charged with two felony counts of “unnatural intercourse with a beast,” a crime with up to a 10-year penitentiary sentence and a single count of sexual battery against his wife, Christy Bobbitt. He was also given an extra $25,000 bond and charged with aggravated animal cruelty for injuries one of the dogs sustained. 

Bobbit’s request to reduce his bond from $375,000 was initially denied byJustice Court Judge Ronnie Hicks. In Defense of Animals exposed now retired Circuit Court Judge Joseph Roper for reducing Bobbitt’s bond to $50,000, allowing him to bond out for crimes that shook the community.

Christy Bobbitt, with her attorney, surrendered herself at the Grenada County Jail. She was charged with four felony counts of “unnatural intercourse with a beast,” and bailed on a $20,000 bond.

“We’re incredibly grateful to be in a position to help local law enforcement intervene on behalf of animals in immediate distress. These dogs deserved so much more than the abuse they suffered, and now they’re getting a second chance to experience life as beloved family members,” said Sharon Stone, Operations Manager at In Defense of Animals’ Hope Animal Sanctuary.

“What happened to these four beautiful dogs is beyond disturbing. We’re so glad they’re safe now, and applaud Carroll County Sheriff Clint Walker and his deputies for acting swiftly to help them,” said Doll Stanley, Justice for Animals Senior Campaigner with In Defense of Animals. “This is yet another tragic case that proves violence to animals and humans is closely linked — those who abuse one will likely abuse the other. We must protect all members of our communities and seek justice.”

In Defense of Animals will continue to follow this case and seek full justice for the animal victims.

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Images: https://bit.ly/BobbitPix

Contact: Doll Stanley, doll@idausa.org, (662) 809-4483

In Defense of Animals’ Justice for Animals Campaign has worked actively with law enforcement, court officials, and citizens of Mississippi for the prevention and prosecution of animal cruelty under existing statutes and ordinances and for the passage of laws that civilized societies should afford their most vulnerable creatures for 30 years.

Hope Animal Sanctuary was established in Carroll County by In Defense of Animals in 1993. It rescues and rehabilitates around 500 of the Deep South’s most abused animals each year. www.idausa.org/sanctuaries/hope-animal-sanctuary

In Defense of Animals is an international animal protection organization based in California with over 250,000 supporters and a 40-year history of fighting for animals, their advocates, and the environment through education and campaigns, as well as hands-on rescue facilities in India, South Korea, and rural Mississippi. www.idausa.org/justice4animals

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