33 Animal Cruelty Charges: Five Dogs, Three Goats and Two Sheep Allegedly Found Thin, With Infected Wounds

SUNDERLAND, Md. — A 56-year-old Sunderland man is facing 33 misdemeanor animal cruelty charges after Calvert County Animal Control officers alleged they found severely underweight dogs, goats and sheep, animals without adequate food or water, untreated wounds and unsanitary living conditions during a search of his property, according to court documents.

Jerome Ellsworth Couplin Jr., 56, of Sunderland, is charged in Calvert County District Court with 33 counts under Maryland’s animal cruelty law stemming from an Aug. 5 investigation.

Court records list 24 counts alleging failure to provide proper care and nine additional animal cruelty counts involving allegations such as deprivation of necessary sustenance and infliction of unnecessary suffering or pain.

The investigation involved five Cane Corso-type dogs named Ace, Apollo, Moon, Junior and Arya; three Boer-type goats; two Katahdin-type sheep; and multiple chickens, according to the application for statement of charges.

Animal Control Responds To Sunderland Property

According to the charging application, a Calvert County Animal Control officer responded to Couplin’s Sunderland residence on Aug. 5 for a call for service.

The officer wrote that attempts to contact Couplin by telephone, Ring camera or by knocking on doors at the residence were unsuccessful.

While on the property, the officer observed five Cane Corso-type dogs, three Boer-type goats, two Katahdin-type sheep and various breeds of chickens displaying what the officer described as varying levels of neglect.

Because of the conditions the officer reported observing, authorities obtained and executed a search-and-seizure warrant, according to the application.

The animals were subsequently seized from the property, according to the application.

Ace Allegedly Found With Infected Wounds

One of the dogs, Ace, a black male Cane Corso-type dog, was described in the charging application as having wounds on his face and neck with discolored discharge that appeared to indicate infection.

The officer wrote that Ace had been the subject of a separate complaint alleging he had been seen loose on multiple occasions and acting aggressively while off his owner’s property. Ace was also the subject of the original call for service.

Investigators alleged Ace did not have access to proper shelter, water or food when they arrived.

After he was examined by a shelter veterinarian, Ace was assigned a body condition score of 3 out of 9, which the report described as thin.

The veterinarian also determined Ace had several infected wounds on his head, neck and face that required medical treatment, according to the charging document.

Cane Corso Dogs Allegedly Found Thin, Without Adequate Food Or Water

Animal Control officers also documented what they described as concerning conditions involving four Cane Corso-type dogs named Apollo, Moon, Junior and Arya.

Apollo was described in the charging application as thin, with visible hips and ribs, heavily discolored water and an empty food feeder. Shelter staff gave him a body condition score of 3 out of 9 and noted fractured canine teeth and a filthy coat.

Moon was described as extremely thin, with visible ribs, hips, spine and shoulders, along with infected wounds and sores on his legs and feet. Investigators said his kennel contained mud, feces and urine and that he had no access to water. A 13.4-pound chain was attached to his collar, and officers reported the kennel gate had rusted in place and had to be cut before he could be removed. Moon received a body condition score of 2 out of 9.

Junior was also rated 2 out of 9 and described as very thin, with visible ribs, hips and spine. According to the charging application, his water was heavily discolored and contained debris, while his feeder contained no usable food.

Arya was described as thin, with visible hips and ribs. According to the charging application, her water was also heavily discolored and contained debris and an oily sheen. Shelter staff gave her a body condition score of 3 out of 9.

Goats Allegedly Found Without Hay Or Feed

Animal Control officers also documented concerns involving three Boer-type goats.

A brown-and-white male goat was allegedly kept in a large fenced paddock that investigators said contained no remaining foliage or browse.

Investigators said there was no bedding or hay in the barn-like structure and that no feed pans, pails or hay racks were found inside the enclosure.

The male goat appeared extremely lean and had slightly overgrown hooves, according to the report.

A brown-and-white female goat was kept under similar conditions and was described in the report as extremely thin, with her spine, ribs, hips and withers visible beneath her fur.

Animal Control alleged the goat’s mucous membranes were extremely pale and nearly white. The officer also reported seeing the animal attempt to move during the search before suddenly collapsing and struggling to stand several times.

After an examination, the veterinarian assigned the goat a body condition score of 2 out of 9, described as very thin, and noted pale mucous membranes and signs of dehydration.

A second brown-and-white female Boer-type goat was also described in the report as extremely lean with slightly overgrown hooves. Investigators again reported no hay, bedding, feed pans, pails or hay racks in the enclosure.

Sheep Allegedly Showed Signs Of Dehydration

The search also involved two female Katahdin-type sheep.

One was described in the charging application as thin enough that investigators could see her spine and withers beneath her wool. The paddock allegedly contained no foliage or browse, while investigators reported finding no hay, bedding, feed pans, pails or hay racks in the barn-like structure.

After an examination, the sheep received a body condition score of 3 out of 9, and shelter staff documented pale mucous membranes and signs of dehydration.

The second sheep was described in the charging application as extremely thin, with her spine, hips, ribs and withers visible beneath her wool.

Veterinary staff assigned the animal a body condition score of 2 out of 9, described as very thin, and also documented pale mucous membranes and signs of dehydration.

Chickens Had Food And Water, But Officers Cite Coop Conditions

Investigators also inspected several chickens housed in a large coop-like structure.

Unlike several of the other animals, the report states the birds had water and an adequate amount of feed.

However, Animal Control alleged the coop contained a significant accumulation of fecal waste.

A compliance notice was left for Couplin requiring proof that the chicken enclosures had been cleaned and that excess feces and debris had been removed, according to the application.

Feed Purchase Records Reviewed

As part of the investigation, Animal Control reviewed records from a Tractor Supply retailer.

According to the application, records showed that the most recent purchase of dog food was approximately 180 pounds on June 11, 2026.

Investigators were also advised that the most recent purchase of feed or supplies for the goats and sheep was approximately 35 pounds of chopped hay and 25 pounds of minerals on June 13.

On Aug. 11, an Animal Control officer spoke with Couplin by telephone.

Couplin reportedly told the officer that he fed Apollo and Moon approximately 8 cups of dog food per day and that Ace, Junior and Arya each received approximately 2 cups once per day.

According to the charging application, Couplin also said the animals began losing weight after he obtained the sheep and began keeping them on the property.

Couplin reportedly told investigators the animals had never been seen by a veterinarian and that their vaccinations and medications had been obtained through Tractor Supply or online.

Those statements, along with observations made during the search and veterinary examinations, were included in the application seeking criminal charges.

33 Animal Cruelty Charges Filed

Court records show 33 misdemeanor counts were filed against Couplin on Aug. 20.

The charges include allegations that he failed to provide various animals with necessary veterinary treatment, adequate food, proper drinking water, shelter and other required care.

Several counts separately accuse Couplin of depriving animals of necessary sustenance or inflicting unnecessary suffering or pain.

The individual allegations involve the five Cane Corso-type dogs, three Boer-type goats and two Katahdin-type sheep described in the Animal Control investigation. The application also contains an allegation concerning shelter conditions for the chickens.

A criminal summons was issued Aug. 20, 2026.

Couplin is scheduled for a preliminary inquiry on Oct. 5, 2026, in Calvert County District Court.

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