Two dogs - one dead, the other emaciated to the point it had to be euthanized - were found tied up in the backyard of an unoccupied Jacksonville home in December and now two people face charges in their deaths.

James Evans Harrison II, 43, of the 1200 block of Bridier Street and Rhonda Camille Marsh, 52, of the 2700 block of Myra Street, are each charged with two counts of cruelty to animals intentionally causing unnecessary suffering or death, according to court records.

An animal control officer responded to a home in the 1100 block of Harrison Street on Jacksonville's Eastside on Dec. 14 after a complaint and found a dog chained to a tree that wasn't moving and appeared unresponsive, according to a Sheriff's Office arrest report.

The dog was underweight and convulsing with the chain wrapped around its body and the only possible outcome was euthanasia, the report said.

A second dog was found tethered to a tree but it had crawled under a fence and died. According to the report, the dog had been dead for over 24 hours when the officer arrived.

Neighbors identified Harrison and Marsh out of a photo lineup and said they moved from the home and left the dogs behind, according to the report.

One of the neighbors told authorities she offered to give the dogs food and water but the help was refused, according to the report. She said the house had been unoccupied for about three days before the officer arrived.

Attempts to contact the dog owners were unsuccessful and warrants were obtained, according to the report.

Harrison was arrested Feb. 1 and Marsh was arrested March 11, according to jail records. Marsh was released on bail but Harrison remains in custody.

Both have upcoming court dates.

Joe Daraskevich: (904) 359-4308