3 Crestview women accused of numerous aggravated animal cruelty charges

Pat O'Donnell
·2 min read
19

CRESTVIEW, Fla. (WKRG) — Three Crestview women are facing charges after the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office and the Panhandle Animal Welfare Society rescued dozens of animals from a home on Florida Avenue last month.

According to an OCSO Facebook post, 44-year-old Jarah Lee, 46-year-old Bonnie Sue Hahn and 20-year-old Eveland Colbert are each charged with 14 counts of aggravated animal cruelty and 14 counts of animal cruelty.

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The charges stem from investigators finding several dogs being severely mistreated by starvation, lack of water and medical care, and livestock with no potable water.

The three women were taken into jail on Friday, July 12, and they each posted bond and were released on Saturday, July 13.

There were 41 animals on the property, and they were all confiscated or surrendered. The dogs are gaining weight and will soon be adoptable. However, one dog is still on a feeding tube at this time.

“The animals from the case were some of the worst we have ever seen. Twenty-one animals arrived at the refuge, many in critical condition, and several remain in ICU today,” Alaqua Animal Refuge founder Laurie Hood said. “We appreciate the work that PAWS and Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office have done to ensure these animals get the justice they deserve.”

This is one of the dogs the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office and the Panhandle Animal Welfare Society rescued from the property (Photo courtesy of the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office).
This is one of the dogs the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office and the Panhandle Animal Welfare Society rescued from the property (Photo courtesy of the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office).

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A tip led to the investigation, according to the OCSO Facebook post.

“One of the dogs named Chance from this case is the worst I have ever witnessed in my career,” Alaqua Clinic Manager Danielle Lamarre said. “This dog was critically underweight and had bed sores all over him from the protrusion of his hips and spine rubbing against the box that he was living in. It will take 6-8 months under our care before he can be ready for a home.”

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