MOUNT OLIVE, Ala. – A Jefferson County man has been arrested on animal cruelty charges after deputies investigating an anonymous tip found two malnourished dogs living in what authorities described as deplorable conditions.
According to the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, the investigation began on Sunday, July 12, when an off-duty deputy who routinely patrols the Mount Olive area received an anonymous tip regarding a video allegedly showing a man attempting to abandon two dogs near Woodward Road.
Using the information provided, deputies responded to a residence in the 6000 block of Lakeside Drive to check on the animals’ welfare.
After receiving permission to inspect the dogs, deputies found both animals appeared malnourished and were being kept in unsanitary living conditions, investigators said.
Deputies contacted a Jefferson County Animal Control investigator, who advised them to place the suspect under arrest.
The suspect, identified as 38-year-old Delmetrius Bishop, was taken into custody without incident and transported to the Jefferson County Jail.
Jefferson County Animal Control removed both dogs from the property and transported them to the Greater Birmingham Humane Society for medical evaluation and treatment.
Bishop was charged with first-degree cruelty to a dog or cat and second-degree cruelty to a dog or cat. His bond was set at $15,000 on the first-degree charge and $6,000 on the second-degree charge. Jail records indicate he has since been released.
Sheriff Mark Pettway credited both the responding deputies and the citizen who reported the incident.
“Our deputies did a great job on using the information and evidence received from a citizen to make an arrest,” Pettway said. “We always say, ‘See something, say something,’ and that’s exactly what happened. The information they provided made a big difference.”
Anyone with information about the case is asked to contact the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office at 205-325-1450 or Crime Stoppers at 205-254-7777.