Manatee deputy accused of abandoning adopted cats

PALMETTO (FOX 13) - A Manatee County deputy has been charged with abandonment of animals, FOX 13 has learned.

Russell Jacobus allegedly drove to a rural area of Palmetto in his patrol car to abandon two cats he had adopted from Manatee County Animal Services.

Authorities said Jacobus had adopted the cats for himself and his two daughters. After bringing the cats home, he found out that one of his daughters has a cat allergy and was having an allergic reaction.

Jacobus has since resigned from the Manatee County Sheriff's Office. Officials said one of the two cats has been found.