TRIGGER WARNING:

VIDEO OF ABUSE: https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1CruSexcTP/

Growing up I always believed that our animals were cherished members of our community. They bring us joy, display unconditional love, and, most importantly, they trust us to protect them. It was devastating to learn of the horrific animal-abuse case that occurred in Gulf Breeze FL, an act so vile and cruel that it has shaken the communities are far south as Miami-Dade County.

We were hopeful for justice when Charlotte Dellinger and David Neely were charged for their involvement in the incident. However, these charges seem insufficient when considering the gravity of their actions. Video footage associated with this case reportedly documents deeply disturbing treatment of animals. Despite the severity of what was captured, Dellinger and Neely have reportedly been charged only with misdemeanor offenses. If accurate, these charges do not reflect the seriousness of the alleged conduct or Florida’s commitment to protecting animals from cruelty and abuse.

This is why we are urgently calling on State Attorney Ginger Bowden Madden and the Office of the State Attorney for Florida’s First Judicial Circuit to review these charges, as it’s imperative that the penalty fits the crime. We owe it to our pets and animals who depend on us for their safety and well-being.

According to data from the National Link Coalition, those who harm animals are statistically more likely to also commit violence against humans. This troubling connection underscores the importance of imposing appropriate consequences for acts of cruelty against animals. Just in the state of Florida alone, countless cases of animal cruelty go unpunished or inadequately addressed each year, diminishing our society's moral obligation to all living beings.

In the Gulf Breeze case, the evidence is clear and irrefutable. Witness accounts and video evidence draw a vivid and disturbing picture of what transpired. Now more than ever, we need the legal system to act with integrity and compassion. By reinforcing stricter penalties, we not only honor the lives of the abused animals but also deter future instances of such brutality.

We respectfully demand:

1. An immediate review of all evidence and the current charging decisions by State Attorney Ginger Bowden Madden and the supervising prosecutors assigned to the case.
2. Consideration of felony aggravated animal-cruelty charges under Section 828.12, Florida Statutes, and every other applicable state law supported by the evidence.
3. Application of Dexter’s Law and all available sentencing enhancements if the alleged conduct and timing of the offenses meet the law’s requirements.
4. Meaningful penalties upon conviction, including incarceration when authorized by law—not merely fines, probation, or another slap on the wrist.
5. Placement of anyone convicted of a qualifying animal-cruelty offense on Florida’s animal-abuser database.
6. A permanent, court-ordered prohibition preventing those responsible from owning, possessing, fostering, adopting, harboring, or caring for animals.
7. A public explanation of how the initial charges were determined and assurance that the video evidence and the full extent of the alleged abuse have been reviewed.

Join us in showing that these heinous acts will not be tolerated, that Florida stands by its commitment to protect animals, and that justice will prevail.

Sign the petition to urge the State Attorney’s Office to take swift and appropriate action in this matter. Together, we can make Gulf Breeze—and all of Florida—a safer place for our cherished animal companions.

Thank you!

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Write Gulf Breeze and State politicians to ask for their support!

 

Governor Ron DeSantis - GovernorRon.DeSantis@eog.myflorida.com

Ginger Bowden Madden State Attorney's Office - gmadden@osa1.org

Joseph Shelton State Attorney's Office - jshelton@osa1.org 

Senator Don Gaetz rep of Santa Rosa County - gaetz.don.web@flsenate.gov 

Commissioner Colten Wright — Santa Rosa County District 5 - district5@santarosa.fl.gov 

Mayor J.B. Schluter — City of Gulf Breeze - jbschluter@gulfbreezefl.gov

Mayor Pro Tem Randy Hebert - rhebert@gulfbreezefl.gov 

Councilmember Amy White Tavai - atavai@gulfbreezefl.gov

Councilmember Brittany Simpson - bsimpson@gulfbreezefl.gov 

 Councilmember Tim Burr - tburr@gulfbreezefl.gov 

 Senator Tom Leek — Senate sponsor of Dexter’s Law - leek.tom.web@flsenate.gov 

Email:

Dear (Politician Name)

Demand Felony Charges and Full Accountability in the Dellinger and Neely Animal-Abuse Case

We are calling on State Attorney Ginger Bowden Madden and the Office of the State Attorney for Florida’s First Judicial Circuit to immediately review the charges filed against Charlotte Ann Dellinger and David Neely in connection with the horrific Gulf Breeze animal-abuse case.

Video footage associated with this case reportedly documents deeply disturbing treatment of animals. Despite the severity of what was captured, Dellinger and Neely have reportedly been charged only with misdemeanor offenses. If accurate, these charges do not reflect the seriousness of the alleged conduct or Florida’s commitment to protecting animals from cruelty and abuse.

Florida has enacted stronger animal-protection measures, including Dexter’s Law, which enhances sentencing consequences for certain aggravated animal-cruelty offenses and established a statewide animal-abuser database. These laws were created because serious cruelty cannot be treated as a minor offense.

We respectfully demand:

1. An immediate review of all evidence and the current charging decisions by State Attorney Ginger Bowden Madden and the supervising prosecutors assigned to the case.
2. Consideration of felony aggravated animal-cruelty charges under Section 828.12, Florida Statutes, and every other applicable state law supported by the evidence.
3. Application of Dexter’s Law and all available sentencing enhancements if the alleged conduct and timing of the offenses meet the law’s requirements.
4. Meaningful penalties upon conviction, including incarceration when authorized by law—not merely fines, probation, or another slap on the wrist.
5. Placement of anyone convicted of a qualifying animal-cruelty offense on Florida’s animal-abuser database.
6. A permanent, court-ordered prohibition preventing those responsible from owning, possessing, fostering, adopting, harboring, or caring for animals.
7. A public explanation of how the initial charges were determined and assurance that the video evidence and the full extent of the alleged abuse have been reviewed.
8. Animal abuse is not a minor offense. It is intentional violence against vulnerable living beings that cannot defend themselves or ask for help. When graphic evidence exists, the justice system must respond with consequences proportionate to the severity of the conduct.

This petition is not asking officials to disregard due process or presume guilt. It is asking them to conduct a complete and transparent review, pursue every charge supported by the evidence, and use the animal-protection laws Florida enacted for precisely these types of cases.

We urge State Attorney Ginger Bowden Madden, Governor Ron DeSantis, Senator Don Gaetz, Santa Rosa County officials, and Florida’s animal-protection lawmakers to take this case seriously and ensure that justice is pursued to the fullest extent permitted by law.

Together, we can send a clear message: animal cruelty must never be dismissed as a minor offense, and those convicted of serious abuse must never be placed in a position to harm another animal again.

Best Regards,