(Clinton) On August 2, 2025, at approximately 12:50 PM, the Clinton County Sheriff’s Office received a complaint that an older male subject was observed driving into the Bulger’s Hollow Recreational Area, possibly abandoning a dog near the campground. Witnesses believed the subject in the vehicle had just abandoned a dog in the park, before it left the area. The witnesses stated they noticed a dog running alongside the vehicle as it drove away from the area. The vehicle left the area of Bulger’s Hollow, and the witnesses said the dog was still in the area, after the car left. The witnesses were able to secure the dog and notified law enforcement officers of what they had witnessed, including a description of the vehicle and the driver. The dog was eventually transferred to the Clinton County Humane Society, where it remains.
Deputies interviewed witnesses and obtained information from the witnesses on what they observed, along
with photographs taken by the witness. Based on the deputy’s investigation, they were able to identify the
suspect vehicle and initiated a follow-up on the case. On August 2, at approximately 5:00 PM, deputies located
James B. Simpson Jr., who admitted to being at Bulger’s Hollow Recreational Area earlier in the day and
abandoning a dog while he was there. Deputies compiled all the information they had gathered on the
investigation and submitted a request for an arrest warrant for James B. Simpson Jr. On August 4, 2025, at
approximately 10:50 AM, James B. Simpson Jr. was arrested on an arrest warrant and charged with
Abandonment of a Dog. Simpson was booked into the Clinton County Jail.
The Clinton County Sheriff’s Office would like to remind the community, specifically those who choose to treat
animals in a manner that would endanger, harm or otherwise be contrary to the animal’s welfare, that our law
enforcement officers will diligently investigate these cases and pursue the most serious criminal charges
allowed under the law. Although resources are limited, there is ALWAYS an alternative to abandoning a
dog/cat or other animal in the wild, no exceptions!
Notice: Criminal charges are merely an accusation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until, and
unless, proven guilty.
MEDIA RELEASE
August 4, 2025
Mistreatment of Animal Investigation
Abandonment of a Dog (717B.8)
Date/Time of Incident:
Location of Incident:
Arrested:
August 2, 2025
Bulger’s Hollow Recreation Area & Campground
James B. Simpson Jr. (Age 71)
Sheriff Bill Greenwalt
Clinton County Sheriff’s Office
