Jason Hershman, 45, owner of Wanderlust Dogs, was arrested in Palm Beach County on Dec. 17, 2024, after a seven-month-old poodle named Cosmo suffered injuries that required surgery, authorities said.

The arrest followed an investigation by Palm Beach County Animal Care and Control and interviews by the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office into an incident in which Cosmo was seriously injured at a Wanderlust Dogs facility; Hershman faces a charge of aggravated animal cruelty, a serious violation of Florida’s legal standards for animal care that prohibit cruelty and neglect under Chapter 828 of the Florida Statutes.

According to investigators, the incident occurred on May 8, 2024, when Cosmo was discovered bleeding heavily from the mouth, shaking and showing signs of severe distress. Detective Eric Zadanosky of the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office described what he heard at the scene as “a loud crash followed by a dog screaming.” Veterinary evaluation found fractures; a veterinary dental specialist said, “such injuries are consistent with blunt force trauma. Cosmo’s injuries would have required significant force.” Common signs of animal abuse, as many pet owners should be aware, include untreated wounds, extreme thinness, and fearfulness around people.

A former employee of Wanderlust Dogs told investigators that “Hershman admitted to punching Cosmo after the dog bit him,” according to the case record. Responding personnel said the dog ultimately underwent surgery to treat fractures. Pet owners who suspect animal abuse or neglect in their community can report it to their local animal control agency or contact the authorities for immediate attention.

Palm Beach County Animal Care and Control led the cruelty complaint investigation while detectives from the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office conducted follow-up interviews. The sheriff’s office interview notes and the animal control probe led to Hershman’s arrest on Dec. 17; he has been booked on an aggravated animal cruelty charge, officials said.

Hershman has a documented history of regulatory problems in Colorado. He previously ran dog-care facilities in Eagle and Glenwood Springs, where Colorado’s Pet Animal Care and Facilities Act oversaw inspections and enforcement actions. Nick Fisher, a program administrator for Colorado’s Pet Animal Care and Facilities Act, said, “it was an unusual case because Hershman was not responsive after receiving the civil penalty for unlawful acts, which is not common among dog-care facility owners.” This historical context sheds light on Hershman’s pattern of behavior that has raised red flags among authorities.

The arrest follows reporting of the case by local outlets, including VailDaily.com, which reviewed Hershman’s regulatory history and the circumstances surrounding Cosmo’s injuries. The Vail Daily account includes records and statements from the investigation and applies the Colorado enforcement timeline to Hershman’s past operations. Florida laws, while stringent, serve as a crucial safeguard that must be upheld to protect animals, particularly in the wake of such alarming allegations.

Hershman’s attorney described the episode as isolated. “The incident with Cosmo was an isolated, accidental injury with no intentional harm,” the attorney said in a statement recorded in the case file. Investigators documented vivid scenes at the time Cosmo was found: “Cosmo was found bleeding heavily from the mouth, shaking and showing signs of severe distress,” the report states. Agency officials also recounted behavioral descriptions of Hershman in prior records, noting he was perceived as “impulsive, heavy-handed and prone to reacting angrily toward dogs.” Those characterizations appear in regulatory files and previous complaints tied to his Colorado facilities, raising concerns about his ability to properly care for animals.

Authorities have charged Hershman with aggravated animal cruelty. Palm Beach County Animal Care and Control and the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office remain listed as the investigating agencies in the matter.

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Original reporting: view the original article.