JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A 25-year-old Jacksonville man is behind bars facing a felony charge after authorities discovered the body of a dog inside a car submerged in Julington Creek earlier this month.
Max Barker was taken into custody on October 19 following a multi-day investigation sparked by an anonymous tip at the Hood Landing Public Kayak Launch. According to the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office (JSO), the grim discovery began on October 10 when a concerned visitor spotted a vehicle trunk partially submerged beneath the water’s surface at the end of the public boat ramp.
Due to significant flooding on the access road leading to the launch, patrol officers were initially unable to approach the site on foot. To assess the situation, police deployed a drone, which captured aerial footage showing an oily sheen—likely gasoline or motor oil—rising to the water’s surface, confirming the presence of a vehicle.
JSO’s dive team was subsequently dispatched to the scene. After ensuring that no human occupants were trapped inside the vehicle, divers worked alongside a towing crew to hoist the submerged car from the creek. During the extraction process, workers were forced to break the rear driver’s side window to secure the vehicle for towing. It was at that moment that the body of a brown Pit mix floated out of the submerged car.
Animal Care and Protective Services (ACPS) investigators arrived shortly after to process the scene. According to the arrest report, officials discovered several items inside the vehicle, including dog leashes, treats, and toys. They also noted that a chain found inside the vehicle matched the one still secured around the deceased dog’s neck.
Using vehicle registration records, detectives quickly traced the car to Barker. An officer contacted him the day after the recovery to inform him that he was under investigation. However, authorities waited for the results of an animal necropsy—a specialized autopsy performed on animals—before proceeding with criminal charges.
Once the necropsy results were returned on October 19, police moved to arrest Barker at his home. He is currently charged with one count of felony animal cruelty, specifically for intentionally causing the cruel death of an animal or inflicting unnecessary suffering. Under Florida law, this offense is classified as a third-degree felony.
The discovery has sent shockwaves through the local community, as the popular kayak launch is typically frequented by residents and outdoor enthusiasts. Authorities have not released further details regarding the circumstances that led to the vehicle entering the water, but the investigation remains active as the case moves toward the court system.
Barker remains in police custody, and the investigation into the incident is ongoing.
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