WEST PALM BEACH — A small poodle named Cosmo has become the inaugural case for Palm Beach County's recently established Animal Crimes Unit. The 10-pound dog, who endured suspected abuse at a local daycare, was presented at a December 18 press conference by his owner Grace Salcedo.
"It was horrible," Salcedo stated, expressing her shock over the incident. "I had never dealt with a situation like that, so I was very shocked."
The investigation into Jason Hershman, owner of Wanderlust Dogs in Delray Beach, commenced after Palm Beach County Animal Care and Control received multiple complaints from employees. They reported Hershman had a history of striking dogs, including an incident on May 8 involving Cosmo.
According to investigators, Cosmo was in good health before being left alone with Hershman. Staff later reported hearing a loud cry and discovered the puppy bleeding from the mouth, shaking, and unable to stand. Veterinary examinations revealed a broken tooth and jaw, necessitating multiple surgeries. Both the treating veterinarian and a dental specialist concluded the injuries resulted from significant blunt-force trauma.
"What kind of coward punches a dog this little and breaks his jaw where it's got to be wired?" questioned Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw.
Hershman faces one count of aggravated animal cruelty and is represented by the Office of the Public Defender, which does not comment on open cases.
Sheriff Bradshaw highlighted this arrest as the first by the new unit, designed to centralize investigations previously scattered across districts for more aggressive action. "Because Animal Control, they're great people. They work hard," Bradshaw said. "But they're overwhelmed." He added that Animal Control employees cannot conduct searches or make arrests, but will now collaborate with a dedicated team that can.
Recent Horse Abuse Case Precedes Unit Formation
The announcement follows another notable animal abuse arrest in November, where 75-year-old James Marinakis was charged with several counts related to animal cruelty, confinement, and abandonment. This came after an October complaint and a sheriff's flyover revealed dozens of underweight horses on his two properties in suburban Boca Raton.
After Marinakis refused access, investigators obtained warrants to search the land. Inside barns, officers found stalls filled with deep muck and manure, hindering the horses' movement. Eight severely emaciated animals were seized for emergency veterinary care, while others were too fearful to capture safely.
Veterinarians documented "profound neglect," including conditions like rain rot, overgrown hooves causing lameness, untreated injuries, dehydration, anemia, dental disease, and in one case, a 2.4-pound mass of necrotic tissue infested with maggots.
No defense attorney has filed an appearance in Marinakis' criminal case, though a lawyer speaking on his behalf during a civil hearing suggested Marinakis might deny ownership of the horses.
Concluding the news conference, Bradshaw urged residents to report suspected abuse. "They don’t have voices, so we have to be their voice," Salcedo added.
