Ocala, FL man found guilty of felony animal cruelty

State Atorney's Office, Fifth Judicial Circuit of Florida
William M. Gadson, State Attorney
Serving Marion, Lake, Citrus, Sumter, Hernando Counties

On November 7, 2023, inside the courtroom of the Honorable Judge Peter Brigham, jurors found 61 year-old Terrence Andre Crowder, of Ocala, Florida, guilty of one felony and two misdemeanor counts of animal cruelty after a presentation of compelling evidence and expert testimony. Crowder's sentencing hearing will be scheduled at a later time.

Crowder was arrested in August of 2022. Just a month previously, Marion County Animal Control Compliance Investigators had responded to the residence in response to reports of animal negligence. The investigators called the Marion County Sheriff's Office for assistance.

Officials seized thirteen animals from Crowder's property, three of which were in appalling condition due to negligence. The three animals in poor condition were a miniature pony, a horse, and a goat. The miniature pony, Shakira, had "elf shoe" hooves (laminitis) from lack of care, which is extremely painful; all four hooves were also found to be infected with thrush. The horse, a mare named Haling's Darling, was emaciated to the point her ribs were showing. The third animal, a goat, had an open, chronic wound on its back that had been left untreated for so long it had calloused over and was very tender to touch.

As a result, Crowder was arrested, charged with one count of aggravated animal cruelty and two counts of cruelty to animals. "Prior to his trial, Crowder was released on bond. However, after his blatant apathetic demeanor, Judge Brigham ordered him to be remanded until his sentencing," said Brittney Carmen, Public Information Officer II with the State Attorney's Office.

"Crowder intentionally harmed these animals when he willingly deprived them of basic necessities - from food and water to adequate shelter and medical care," said William "Bill" Gladson, Fifth Judicial Circuit State Attorney. "Thankfully, the jurors were able to see this was a textbook example of animal cruelty and hold Crowder responsible for his crimes. My office remains committed to aggressively prosecuting animal cruelty cases, and I am extremely grateful for the devoted work of our Animal Cruelty Taskforce and our community partners."

The successful prosecution of this case was a result of the efforts of Deputy Struble with the Marion County Sheriff's Office, Marion County Animal Services investigators, the supporting veterinarians, and Assistant State Attorney James Moody.

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