Jessica Collins, of Saucier, ran what she called Deep South Rescue when Harrison County sheriff’s deputies went to the property in March 2022 and found 30 dead dogs, most of them in black trash bags. A cage at her home contained a dead vulture as well as eight dead puppies inside a trash bag.
Video shows bodies of dogs all over, with many in trash bags or burned, and in varying states of decomposition. Just one dog was alive, an emaciated Labrador who had been locked in a shed without ventilation, food, or water, along with a dead federally protected Buzzard.
A warrant was issued to rescue the dog and begin disposal of 30 deceased canine remains.
An additional 14 dogs on a property in Pass Christian were also surrendered by Collins.
Collins was arrested in March 2022, and charged with only one felony count of animal cruelty for the federally protected buzzard and 30 misdemeanor counts of simple animal cruelty for the deceased dogs.
Collins operated Deep South Animal Rescue under the name Jessica Ann Gallaspy. She was charged with 30 misdemeanor counts for cruelty to a dog under MS § 97-41-16 (2) a. and bonded out of the Harrison County Adult Detention Center. Maliciously injuring dogs or cats is now chargeable as a first-offense felony for each dog or cat killed with malice, MS § 97-41-16 (2) b.
Linda Perry went to the property in Saucier when she saw a plea from Collins on Facebook for help. Collins, she said, lied about being a 501c nonprofit and claimed she needed help because bobcats had been killing the animals.
“From the moment I arrived, I started finding dead dogs all across the property,” she said “She said the bobcats were killing them. It was all a lie. Once you see that, you can’t forget it. She fooled everyone in the animal community.” Collins did not live on the property where sheriff’s deputies found the animals. A shed sat on the half-acre lot, and the animals had no electricity or running water.
Collins was sentenced to 60 months incarceration, with six months to be served beginning on August 25. She will serve the remaining 54 months if she violates any term of her sentencing.
“It was hard to believe that a person like this defendant, who is supposed to be taking care of animals, had done what she did in that case,” Harrison County prosecuting attorney Herman Cox said. “It was atrocious. There is no excuse for it.”
Collins cannot own a domesticated cat, dog or other animal for 15 years. Once she completes her jail sentence, she will undergo a psychiatric evaluation and return to court every seven months for a review of her case.
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