Michael Puckett’s two dogs, Goose and Macho Man, were his constant companions. He went through a rough period and became homeless. Some people give up their companion animals as soon as they are faced with hard times, but Michael kept his dogs and cared for them and himself as best he could. In August of 2025 he was arrested essentially for being homeless; he was camping at a homeless encampment and was arrested for trespassing. He asked a friend at the same encampment to watch Goose and Macho Man and his friend readily agreed, but that was not good enough for the police officers, who sent a community service officer to collect the dogs even though they were not at large and someone was looking after them. The dogs ended up at the Edgewater Animal Shelter (“EAS”), who demanded Michael pay $490 if he wanted his dogs back- and not surprisingly Michael did not have $490. Michael pleaded to be allowed to make payments so he could be reunited with Goose and Macho Man, but ESA showed him no mercy. He tried to adopt the dogs himself and was not allowed; his manager tried to adopt the dogs and was also rejected.
Michael filed a legal action on his own before finding me; in his words “My dogs are my family and I truly love and miss them and take care of them at all times.” At the first hearing we learned the devastating outcome for Michael’s dogs. Although the community service officer indicated both dogs had good dispositions, ESA destroyed Macho Man, claiming the dog was “aggressive,” and adopted Goose to someone else, even though ESA was fully aware that Michael had not abandoned his dogs and desperately wanted them back.
Michael has not given up on being reunited with Goose and I am helping him pro bono. Unfortunately, in 2024, the Florida Legislature enacted a new exemption to the public records law, making the adopter’s name no longer subject to disclosure. Information regarding Goose’s whereabouts should be discoverable in the pending lawsuit but ESA, indifferent to the emotional devastation Michael is experiencing, seems hell bent on dragging out this matter and making every step as difficult as possible. If a court does order Goose be returned to Michael, presumably the longer he is with the adopter more attached the adopter will become, delay is not in his or her best interest either. Although I am not charging Michael for my time, there will be litigation expenses such as court reporters and deposition transcripts that we need help with. If you are in a position to contribute, a donation would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!
