Three Dogs Die in Camper After Owner’s Fatal Attack

A man named Donnell Smith, 57, faces serious animal cruelty charges after three dogs were found rotting in his camper. The trailer was on Bluebonnet Boulevard, a property that once belonged to Jodi Cowan. Cowan was killed on May 19 when two loose dogs attacked her while she walked her own dog in the neighborhood. Police got a tip about a bad smell coming from the camper on June 11. They obtained a search warrant and entered. Inside, they discovered three dead dogs with no food, water, or ventilation. Deputies said the animals were neglected and left without air conditioning.Smith told investigators that the odor was from a dog he had buried. Later, evidence showed he had been caring for four dogs after Cowan’s death but stopped checking on them. One dog survived; it was the same one Cowan was trying to protect when she was attacked. The sheriff’s office said more dogs have died because of this neglect. Smith is charged with aggravated felony animal cruelty, confinement without sufficient food or water, lack of air, and abandonment. Additional charges may follow. A neighbor, Linda Cutler, is also facing a manslaughter charge. She owned the dogs that attacked Cowan and knew they could escape or bite people but did not secure them. The sheriff said her failure to act contributed to the tragedy. Smith was booked into Brevard County Jail on a $15, 000 bond. The investigation is still ongoing.