Charlotte County Animal Control Officer Goes Scot-free After Alleged Torture of Feral Hogs While on the Job

CREATED Tuesday February 4, 2015 5:53 PM

CHARLOTTE COUNTY, Fla. – Charlotte County Animal Control’s incident review of possible animal cruelty is complete and the report is final on the case relating to complaints that an employee may have performed acts of cruelty on environmental land feral hogs.

The report states “…there is lack of sufficient evidence to file any criminal or civil charges against Jason Thompson or to suggest that he was in violation of Florida State Laws or Charlotte Co. Ordinances as they pertain to animal cruelty.”

On Nov. 18, 2014 county staff was contacted by a Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission investigator, Larry Gregory, regarding claims of animal cruelty in the trapping and removal of feral hogs.

Charlotte County Natural Resources department stopped feral hog trapping on Nov. 19 in light of an open investigation.

On Nov. 21, 2014 FWC met with Charlotte County Animal Control, the State Attorney’s Office and the Charlotte County Sheriff’s agricultural deputy.

The State Attorney’s Office indicated there was not enough to move forward.

FWC concluded their review and contacted Charlotte County on Dec. 18—FWC would not be seeking any charges of Charlotte County employees for animal cruelty or other crimes.

The final report states “Jason Thompson was acting within the scope of his job description when he was tasked with the capture and disposal of feral hogs…Referencing Florida State Animal Cruelty Law F.S.S.828.13, Jason Thompson never utilized excessive measures, such as repeated stabbing.”