Mount Olive, AL – A Jefferson County man has been charged with animal cruelty after deputies investigating a report of suspected dog abandonment found two malnourished dogs living in what authorities described as deplorable conditions.
According to the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, an off-duty deputy patrolling the Mount Olive area on Sunday, July 12, received an anonymous tip regarding a suspect who had allegedly been seen on video attempting to abandon two dogs near Woodward Road.
Deputies followed up at a residence in the 6000 block of Lakeside Drive, where they were granted permission to check on the animals. Authorities said they found two dogs that appeared malnourished and were being kept in deplorable conditions.
Deputies contacted a Jefferson County Animal Control investigator, who responded to the scene and advised that the suspect be taken into custody. The suspect was arrested without incident.
Jefferson County Animal Control removed the dogs from the residence and transported them to the Greater Birmingham Humane Society (GBHS) for evaluation and treatment.
The sheriff’s office identified the defendant as Delmetrius Bishop, 38. According to investigators, Bishop has been charged with first-degree cruelty to a dog or cat and second-degree cruelty to a dog or cat. He was initially held on $15,000 bond for the first-degree charge and $6,000 bond for the second-degree charge before later being released from the Jefferson County Jail.
Sheriff Mark Pettway praised the citizen who reported the incident, saying the case demonstrates the importance of the community’s “See something, say something” approach.
The investigation remains ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office at (205) 325-1450 or Crime Stoppers at (205) 254-7777.
