Two men charged in St. Johns County dog dumping case

ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. — Two Flagler County men have been arrested and charged in connection with the abandonment of 23 dogs along a roadside in St. Johns County, a case that has ultimately led investigators to a Palm Coast home where dozens more neglected dogs were found.

The St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office announced Tuesday that Austin Moore, 32, and Anthony Dunham 23, have been charged in connection with the case following a joint investigation with the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office. Both men were arrested by the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office on the St. Johns County charges.

Austin Moore (left) and Anthony Dunham (right) were arrested by the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office on charges filed by the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office in connection with the May 4 abandonment of 23 dogs in St. Johns County, authorities said. (Courtesy of St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office)

According to investigators, deputies responded on May 4 to the intersection of U.S. 1 and County Road 204 after 23 dogs were found abandoned along the roadside.

Detectives determined Moore removed the dogs from his mother’s Palm Coast home before driving them to St. Johns County, while Dunham followed in a second vehicle. Authorities allege the two men intentionally released the dogs and left them behind.

Three of the dogs died as a result of the abandonment, according to the sheriff’s office. The remaining 20 were recovered by deputies and good samaritans before being transported to local hospitals for treatment.

Related: Previous reporting

About 30 Chihuahuas Found Dumped on Side of Road, Flagler County Rescue Says

Read our original coverage published before the investigation led authorities to 51 additional dogs in Palm Coast.

Investigators said the case took a significant turn after St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office Intelligence analysts identified a suspect vehicle connected to the abandonment. That information led detectives from both agencies to a Palm Coast home owned by Carolyn Loveman.

During that investigation, authorities removed an additional 51 dogs from the home.

Loveman was arrested in May and charged by the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office with one felony count of aggravated animal cruelty and 31 misdemeanor counts of animal cruelty. Combined with the 23 abandoned dogs in St. Johns County, authorities recovered a total of 74 dogs across the two connected investigations.

Moore and Dunham each face three counts of aggravated animal cruelty and 20 counts of animal neglect in St. Johns County, according to the sheriff’s office. Both were taken into custody by the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office.

Dogs are seen after being abandoned along a roadway in St. Johns County on May 4, 2026. Authorities said 23 dogs were left at the scene, three of which died. The case led investigators to a Palm Coast home where 51 additional dogs were recovered. (Courtesy of St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office)

“We will not tolerate any degree of animal abuse or neglect in St. Johns County,” Sheriff Rob Hardwick said in a statement. “We are able to hold these suspects fully accountable through hard work and strong law enforcement partnerships. With the dedication of SJSO and FCSO teams, and the help of good Samaritans, the dogs are safe and receiving the care they deserve.”

The arrests mark the latest development in an investigation that began with the roadside abandonment in St. Johns County and expanded into one of the region’s largest recent animal cruelty cases.