Dog owner arrested following incident at beach

A 59-year-old Marathon man was arrested Monday following a Sheriff’s Office investigation into the harassment of a man on Sombrero Beach earlier this month, in a case that centered on a French bulldog named “Butterbean.”

Edgar Wallis Jones was charged with disorderly conduct.

Deputy Ian Douthirt was called to the beach on Feb. 6 whereupon he found a man who stated he was a Jehovah Witness. The victim stated he was by a pavilion with his religious literature cart. The victim stated he does not approach people nor does he infringe on their leisure. He explained that the literature in his cart is free. The victim stated that he was approached by an unknown man with a dog, later identified as Jones (and Butterbean), at 11:30 a.m. The victim stated Jones told he was not allowed on city or state property with religious literature. The victim stated he was not soliciting anyone as his literature is free and that he has a permit. The suspect responded that if the literature was free, he would take all of the literature. The victim stated the suspect grabbed his literature cart whilst the dog began chewing on some of the literature itself.

The victim did not report being injured in the incident. The victim then called 911. He gave Deputy Douthirt a description of the suspect as well as the dog. The victim added that he had seen the suspect before around town and it was his belief that the suspect is a local. One witness corroborated the victim’s version of events.

Deputy Douthirt canvassed the beach. Several people described seeing a man who matched the suspect description as well as that of the dog. They didn’t know the man’s name, but the dog was described as an older, chubby, tan and white French bulldog. One witness stated the man said the dog’s name is Butterbean, but he did not chose it. The witness stated that the suspect said children chose the dog’s name. And so Deputy Douthirt began his search for Butterbean.

Deputy Douthirt made contact with several animal hospitals and shelters and one stated they did have a file for a French bulldog named Butterbean, but they did not provide further information given the incident did not involve Butterbean directly. The Sheriff’s Office posted information regarding Butterbean on its Facebook page in the hopes people who know the dog could identify its owner.

Deputy Douthirt returned to Sombrero Beach on Feb. 11. He passed the same pavilion where the victim had been standing and he heard a dog bark. Deputy Douthirt then spotted a tan and white French bulldog on leash being held by a man who matched the suspect description. Deputy Douthirt asked the man what his dog’s name was and the man replied, Butterbean. The man then stated he did not name the dog. The man stated children chose the name.

The man provided his name — Jones. Deputy Douthirt told Jones he was investigating an incident that occurred at the beach. Jones said something occurred regarding a Jehovah’s Witness before Deputy Douthirt mentioned specifics of the case. Jones admitted to speaking to the man about the legalities of his literature cart, but denied taking the cart. Jones admitted that Butterbean had chewed on some of the books in the cart.

The victim later identified Jones in a photo lineup.

A judge issued a warrant for Jones’ arrest on Feb. 20.

Jones turned himself in on Monday.

Butterbean was not charged in the incident. Deputy Douthirt reported Butterbean remains in good health, spirits and in the care of Jones.

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