Four-Month-Old Puppy Found Starving & Soaking Wet Under Carport—What Happened Next Sparked Outrage
Banks was only four months old when he was found unresponsive beneath a carport in Brevard County, Florida. Starving, soaking wet, and barely alive, the puppy was rushed to an emergency veterinary clinic by animal rescuers. Despite their desperate efforts, Banks died shortly after arrival.
The case is now the subject of a criminal investigation, and the public is demanding justice for the puppy whose life was cut short by apparent neglect. The Brevard County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that a necropsy is underway to determine the precise cause of death and support potential charges against whoever is responsible.
Sign the petition to demand a lifetime ban on animal ownership for Banks’ abuser.
Starvation That Didn’t Happen Overnight
The condition in which Banks was found has shaken the animal welfare community. He was completely emaciated, with every rib visible beneath his thin coat. Rescuers reported that he appeared to have suffered for weeks, if not months. Starvation at this level doesn’t happen overnight—it’s the result of ongoing, systemic neglect.
Jessie Paige, founder of Karma’s Haven Animal Rescue Inc., was the one who received the call about a dog in distress. What she discovered was heartbreaking. “When I showed up there, he was laying in a carport soaking wet, cold… I was sure he was going to be dead before I even made it to the hospital,” Paige recalled.
The video of Banks at the emergency vet has circulated widely online. In it, Banks appears terrified and in intense pain. Despite being rushed to the Animal Specialty and Emergency Center in Eau Gallie, he did not survive.
A Plea for Help That Never Came
Authorities have not yet identified the person responsible for Banks’ condition. There are no clear details on how long he had been without food or the environment in which he had been kept. But one thing is certain: help could have been sought. As Paige emphasized, “You can reach out for help if you’re struggling to feed your pets. There are online groups on social media that can help before it’s too late.”
The tragedy of Banks is compounded by the fact that animal welfare resources exist to support struggling pet owners—from pet food banks to rescue organizations and foster networks. Whoever was caring for Banks chose not to use them.
A Wake-Up Call for Animal Welfare
Brevard County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Tod Goodyear confirmed the case is being taken seriously. “They’ll be dealt with, and we will make sure there is punishment for that,” he said. He added that the results of the necropsy will play a critical role in deciding whether misdemeanor or felony charges will be filed.
Banks’ death has reignited conversations about how society handles cases of animal neglect. Advocates across Florida and beyond are calling for stricter enforcement of animal cruelty laws and better public awareness of the responsibilities of pet ownership.
Sadly, Banks’ story is not unique. In shelters across the country, dogs and cats arrive in similar conditions—underweight, frightened, and betrayed. But Banks’ death, so public and so preventable, has struck a nerve. The outpouring of grief online has been accompanied by an overwhelming demand for accountability.
Sign the petition today. Let Banks’ life stand for something.
Moving Forward
As we await the results of the necropsy and potential criminal charges, animal advocates continue to rally for justice. But more than that, they hope this tragedy will serve as a lesson. Caring for an animal is not optional; it’s a commitment to another living being’s safety, health, and happiness.
Let Banks’ story be a turning point—a reason to speak up when we see signs of abuse, to support our local shelters, and to hold neglectful pet owners accountable.
Banks deserved better. All animals do.
To continue speaking up, sign these other petitions as well:
- Four-Month-Old Puppy Found Starving & Soaking Wet Under Carport—What Happened Next Sparked Outrage
- Shelter Overwhelmed After 27 Neglected Dogs Found in Hoarder’s Home—Now the Public Wants Justice
- He Threw His Puppy From Porch and Strangled Her — Now Public Demands Justice
- He Wrapped a Puppy in a Blanket—Then Beat Her Until She Couldn’t Move. Now the Public Wants Justice
- Backyard Breeder Abandons 21 Dogs in Arizona — Survivors Found in Unimaginable Conditions | Sign the Petition
