Okaloosa County deputies went to the home of 32-year old Jessie Eugene Morris and 25-year old Amber Leard-Morris at 703 Green Street around 6:30 Friday night.
They say Jessie Morris initially refused to open the gate and he [lied and] said he’d given the black lab mix, named Sheba, to his father. Amber Morris also refused to open the gate and [lied and] said the dog had run away three days earlier.
A piece of lumber with what appeared to be blood and black hair was found in the front yard.
Eventually Jessie Morris agreed to show the deputy where the dog was hidden. The deputy found her in a small bedroom closet with numerous heavy items piled in front of the door.
The dog yelped and whined when the door was opened and had obvious injuries to its face, neck, and foot.
Panhandle Animal Welfare Society staffers responded and took possession of the dog, which was unable to walk and had to be carried to the van. She was taken for immediate veterinary care.
Jessie Morris said his wife stuffed the injured dog in the closet to hide it and that he planned to get rid of it once the deputy left.
The OCSO charged Jessie and Amber Morris with felony animal cruelty, resisting a law enforcement officer without violence, providing a false official statement, and tampering with evidence.
(Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office - May 10, 2014)
