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A Florida father has been arrested five months after authorities discovered a deceased dog locked in an outdoor cage, joining his daughter in facing felony charges.
Remy Deshomme, 47, was arrested and charged with one count of aggravated animal cruelty, following the September arrest of his 23-year-old daughter, Jessica Deshomme, on the same charge.
Tomas Rodriguez reported on the legal proceedings for the Fort Myers News-Press and Naples Daily News on October 29, 2026.
Collier County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded on June 27, 2026, to a residence on 43rd Street Southwest in Naples, Collier County, Florida 34119, United States, following a report of a deceased dog in the backyard.
Officers found a two-year-old dog named Sparkle inside an outdoor cage that had been wired shut with metal wire at multiple points, providing no food, water, or shade from 100-degree summer temperatures.
The enclosure was wired so tightly that it took responders over 30 minutes to open it.
Neighbor testimony indicated the dog had been kept locked in the cage continuously for months.
Cellphone video recorded by a witness prior to calling law enforcement showed Sparkle heavily panting inside the cage, while physical evidence showed bent bars where the animal attempted to escape.
A necropsy confirmed Sparkle’s cause of death was consistent with acute heat stress and hyperthermia.
Jessica Deshomme, identified as Sparkle’s legal owner, is scheduled for a court appearance on December 10, while Remy Deshomme is set for arraignment on November 23.
My thoughts:
- Prolonged outdoor confinement during extreme summer weather conditions creates severe life-threatening thermal hazards for domestic pets.
- Securing animal enclosures with wire to prevent escape demonstrates intentional neglect and cruelty.
- Bystander video documentation provides vital, indisputable evidence for law enforcement animal cruelty investigations.
- Medical necropsies are crucial for establishing definitive legal cause of death in severe animal abuse cases.
- Legal pet owners and household members share co-responsibility for ensuring animals receive basic shelter and water.
- Community awareness and timely reporting to local sheriff departments can prevent fatal animal neglect.
Source: Fort Myers News-Press, Naples Daily News (Tomas Rodriguez), and Collier County Sheriff’s Office
