Sheriff’s investigators have charged John Maas with felony malicious mischief in connection with damages at a no-kill shelter after it was shut down over an animal cruelty accusation.
The felony charge came as deputies investigated a misdemeanor complaint that Maas confronted the shelter director and her son Saturday night and allegedly broke the son’s nose.
Deputies arrested Maas on a simple assault charge at the former location of the South Mississippi Animal Rescue Team and Refuge on Wolf River Road. They added the felony after damages were found.
Maas is accused of drilling holes in the tires and radiator of a moving van and in 100-gallon tanks that were used to water the animals, said sheriff’s investigator Kevin Hicks.
Maas, 47, of Ocean Springs, was a volunteer who called authorities about conditions at the shelter, which had no covered building or running water. The sheriff’s animal-control staff raided the shelter on March 16 and arrested its director, Jonean Crowle..." More
The director of the South Mississippi Animal Rescue Team and Refuge faces 10 counts of misdemeanor cruelty to animals after a raid at her no-kill shelter by Harrison County Animal Control.
Harrison County prosecutor Herman Cox said Wednesday an arraignment will be in about a month. Cox tells The Sun Herlad that each count can carry jail time of up to 60 days and a $500 fine. He said Jonean Crowle of Pass Christian could have faced a charge for each of the animals authorities found Tuesday on the property 205 dogs, 75 cats, five goats, a pony and a chicken..." More
Volunteers on spring break from a New York college spent today watering and feeding animals as authorities with the Harrison County Sheriff’s Department, Harrison County Animal Control and the Humane Society of South Mississippi made preparations for a mass transfer of the pets from a dirt pit off Wolf Ridge Road.
Jonean Crowle, director of the South Mississippi Animal Rescue Team and Refuge, faces 10 counts of misdemeanor cruelty to animals, said Harrison County prosecutor Herman Cox. An arraignment date will set for next month. Each count can carry jail time of up to 60 days and a $500 fine, he said. Crowle could have faced a charge for each of the animals authorities found on the property, which consisted of 205 dogs, 75, cats, five goats, a pony and a chicken, he said.
Jode’ Braxton-Hignight, development and PR director for HSSM, said the cats will be moved later today to the Harrison County Farm, which is operated by the sheriff’s department. She was not sure when the other animals would be moved..." More
The director of a South Mississippi no-kill shelter could face misdemeanor charges of animal cruelty for each of the more than 300 animals she vowed to protect.
Harrison County deputies arrested 58-year-old Jonean Crowle of Pass Christian at the South Mississippi Animal Rescue Team and Refuge. Sheriff Melvin Brisolara tells The Sun Herald that Crowle was charged with several counts, and more are expected.
Brisolara said authorities found about 225 dogs, 80 cats, some goats and a pony on the property, which is on less than an acre of land Crowle has been using while searching for a larger location..." More
Mar 16, 2010: No-kill shelter founder taken into custody
A woman with the South Mississippi Animal Rescue Team and Refuge has been taken into custody by the Harrison County Sheriff's Department following an investigation into animal cruelty complaints at the refuge.
Jonean Crowle, the refuge founder, was put into a patrol car in handcuffs about 1:45 p.m. Animal Control official Brad Necaise said he couldn't comment on the charges but that a press release would be issued.
More than 300 cats and dogs are housed at the no-kill shelter in the county, where sheriff's deputies converged this morning following complaints of animal cruelty.
Representatives of the Humane Society of South Mississippi were called in by animal control after the complaint came in to the Sheriff's Department..." Link
