In Palm Harbor, Florida, the owner of an 11-month-old Labrador retriever mix, is facing animal cruelty charges after authorities say he broke the puppy’s leg which may need to be amputated.
According to the press release by the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office, Dairon Molina, 22, brought his puppy named Rose to an emergency veterinarian on August 30 with a broken leg. An x-ray of the leg showed the dog’s femur had been broken in two and detached. The injury did not appear to have been an accident.
The arrest affidavit stated Molina had told authorities his “roommate kicked the dog down the stairs,” but then changed his story to the dog had fallen down the carpeted steps, which according to the veterinarian’s report, likely would not have resulted in such an extreme injury.
rose displayed signs of fear towards the defendant attempting to crawl away from him on multiple occasions during her visit.
Further investigation revealed Molina had been the only one home when Rose was hurt, and “her injury was from unjustifiable force.”
Molina has been charged with one count of animal cruelty. He surrendered ownership of Rose, and she is now in the care of the Pinellas County Animal Services.
(Photos via the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office)
Updates to follow.
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