Demand Justice for Stella and Bella: He Starved Them and Called Them “Picky Eaters”
In one of Florida’s most shocking cases of neglect in recent memory, two dogs—Stella, a Great Dane, and Bella, a senior terrier mix—were rescued from a home where they had been slowly starving. The man responsible, Bradford Thomas, allegedly brushed off Stella’s condition with the excuse that she was simply a “picky eater.” But when deputies at the Polk County Sheriff’s Office offered her food, Stella ate ravenously.
Now, animal advocates are demanding justice—and you can help.
👉 Sign the petition to ban Bradford Thomas from ever owning animals again.
“She Was Grateful to Eat”
When deputies arrived at Thomas’s residence on May 27, 2025, they found Stella at a dangerously low weight—only 60 pounds, roughly half of what a healthy Great Dane her age should weigh. Her body was a patchwork of flea bites, scabs, and open sores. She suffered from severe pododermatitis on all four paws, hadn’t received veterinary care since 2020, and was visibly in pain.
Despite this, Thomas allegedly claimed her frail condition was due to being a picky eater.
But when authorities fed her, the truth became heartbreakingly clear.
“She was very grateful to eat,” said Deputy Jacob Durrance of the Polk County Sheriff’s Office. “She ate a lot. She was not a picky eater at all.”
Within just two days of proper nourishment and hydration, Stella gained 8 pounds. Her fleas were washed away, and a glimmer of hope returned to her tired eyes.
📣 Sign the petition to demand mandatory psychological counseling and a lifetime animal ownership ban.
A Life of Pain and Neglect
Stella wasn’t the only victim.
Bella, the second dog rescued from the same home, is believed to be 18 to 20 years old. She suffered from extreme flea dermatitis and significant hair loss across her back. Both dogs were living in filth, with little access to clean water, medical care, or emotional comfort.
Thomas, a city Public Utilities Director in Auburndale, Florida, was arrested and charged with both animal cruelty and aggravated animal cruelty.
“This behavior is absolutely unacceptable,” said Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd. “It is incomprehensible that someone in his position would allow this to happen. We will do everything we can to hold him criminally responsible.”
Despite the trauma they endured, both dogs have begun their recovery at Polk County Animal Control. Stella now wags her tail and leans in for affection. Bella’s wounds are being treated, and she is showing signs of relief and healing.
✍️ Sign the petition to hold this man fully accountable and ensure these dogs—and others like them—get the justice they deserve.
Justice Must Be Served
This case highlights a deeper issue: the widespread failure to treat animal neglect as the serious crime it is. Thomas had the means, resources, and knowledge to prevent this suffering—but chose not to.
When people in positions of power abuse innocent animals, they must face serious consequences. Dogs like Stella and Bella rely on us to speak up when they are silenced by pain and neglect.
Animal cruelty is never a misunderstanding. It’s a betrayal of trust.
These dogs did not choose their suffering—but we can choose to fight for them.
Please sign the petition today to demand justice for Stella and Bella. No more excuses. No more second chances for those who treat animals like trash.
To continue speaking up, sign these other petitions as well:
- Demand Justice for Stella and Bella: He Starved Them and Called Them “Picky Eaters”
- She Trapped Pets in Cages and Walked Away — The Horror Police Found Inside Was Unimaginable
- Abandoned for weeks without food or water, two dogs paid the price—let’s make sure their owner does too.
- Florida Man Hangs Two Dogs From a Tree and Claims It Was an Accident — Public Demands Justice
- Dogs Died in Their Crates While Caregiver Did Meth—Why This ‘Trainer’ Must Be Banned for Life
