BCSO ARRESTS ANIMAL CRUELTY SUSPECTS
Brevard County Sheriff’s Office Deputies along with the Brevard County Fire County Rescue responded to a structure fire at Merritt Island On January 11, 2017, at approximately 3:45 a.m.
When deputies arrived they found the residents attempting to frantically remove dogs from the residence. The residence quickly filled with smoke preventing any further rescue attempts. Firefighters arrived on scene and were able to extinguish the fire.
Fourteen dogs and one cat were rescued from the residence. Some of the dogs were
immediately provided oxygen by BCFR at the scene. One dog received CPR.
The medical staff continues to treat the animals. They are optimistic
that all fifteen will completely recover. Tragically, 45 cats, 4 dogs, 2 raccoons, and one
Macaw perished in the fire.
BCSO Animal Service personnel discovered the condition of the residence to be deplorable and
representative of animal hoarding. The overcrowding of animals within the home resulted in
inhumane and unsanitary living conditions.
Several of the rescued animals were not being provided adequate veterinary care. They were suffering from significant medical issues.
Arrests
Jacquelyn Traumand and Daniel Brantley were arrested and then charged.
The charges were Four Felony counts of Animal Cruelty (Causing Death, Pain, and Suffering), and 74 misdemeanor
counts of Animal Cruelty (Torment, Deprive, Mutilate, Kill). Both Traum and Brantley are each
being held at the Brevard County Jail under a $45,000 bond.

Jacquelyn Traum
Charges
The investigation revealed Jacquelyn Traum and Daniel Brantley inhumanely housed a large
amount of animals within a small space where the health, safety, and sanitary conditions of the
animals contributed to the excessive suffering and stress of the animals.
Anyone with information about this incident is asked to please contact the Brevard County
Sheriff’s Office Animal Cruelty Investigations via the Sheriff’s Office Communications Center
at (321) 633-7162, or CRIMELINE at 1-800- 423-TIPS (8477), you can also
visit https://crimeline.org/, or text ‘crimeline’ plus your tip to CRIME (274637). All information to
CRIMELINE is confidential and you may be eligible for a reward.