MEDIA RELEASE

For Immediate Distribution

January 21, 2022
Ridgeland, MS

Thursday, January 20, 2022, Ridgeland Police Department and the Ridgeland PD Division of Animal
Control arrested Samuel Allen Hardee, Jr of 579 Boardwalk Blvd in Ridgeland on two counts of
Felonious Injury to or Killing of an Animal (2 cats in this particular case). Ridgeland Police received a
complaint approximately 1 week earlier from a citizen reporting a deceased cat which had been left
on a doorstep of a local resident. This cat was examined and determined to have been shot with a
pellet rifle. Through the investigation and with the help of citizens in the area, Hardee was identified
as a suspect. During the investigation, an additional complaint from the same citizen revealed
another cat was discovered to have been shot with a pellet type weapon. Evidence recovered led to
the arrest of Hardee and search of his home where several items were recovered to be used in the
prosecution.

As a result of the hard work of the Mississippi Legislature during the 2020 session, namely Senator
Angela Hill (R, District 40), Mississippi strengthened the animal cruelty laws in our state. The revised
code section for animal cruelty allowed for a separate offense charge for each animal who was
abused. Additional revisions allowed for charges to be filed as a felony on the first offense which
carries fines up to $5000 and/or imprisonment up to 3 years. Animal abuse and cruelty is often a
precursor to other serious violent crimes, so swift and harsh prosecution of these types of cases will
hopefully prevent future acts by defendants.

Hardee remains in the custody at the Madison County Detention Center on a $20,000.00 bond
pending an initial appearance before a Ridgeland Municipal Court Judge. Additionally, the MS
Department of Corrections has placed a hold on Hardee for probation violation reasons.

Any questions should be directed to John R. Neal, Chief of Police at 601-853-2014

Samuel Allen Hardee, Jr

54 Years of Age
Ridgeland, MS

Charge(s): 2 Counts of Killing/Injuring an Animal

115 west school street • ridgeland, ms 39157

ph: 601.856.2121 • www.ridgelandms.org

Gene F. McGee, cmo - mayor • John R. Neal - chief of police

board of aldermen: D.I. Smith, cmo - at-large • Ken Heard, cmo - ward 1 • Chuck Gautier, cmo - ward 2
Kevin Holder, cmo, mayor pro tempore - ward 3 • Brian P. Ramsey, cmo - ward 4 • Bill Lee - ward 5 • Wesley Hamlin, cmo - ward 6