Earlier this year, on February 28, a 37-year-old man was arrested near Miami Beach trying to drown a dog in the ocean. Yerko Ivan Mendoza-Patino was charged with animal cruelty with the intent to injure or kill, providing false identification for law enforcement, resisting arrest and disorderly conduct.
The arrest report stated lifeguards had notified Miami Beach Police and Fire Rescue concerning a man dragging a gray and white pit bull type dog into the ocean and trying to keep the dog’s head underwater as he walked farther into surf.
Beachgoers spotted the man, seemingly trying to drown the dog and yelled and gathered around him demanding he release the dog. The dog appeared to be struggling. The lifeguards entered the ocean and also told the defendant to release the dog. The man allegedly became angrier and refused to cooperate.
Even when police showed up, Mendoza-Patino refused to release the dog; police were then able to restrain the suspect and pull the dog to safety..
And now fast forward to July 24, and bodycam footage has revealed the shocking alleged dog drowning attempt as Mendoza-Patino, 37, tried to drown the dog. He can be seen standing up to his waist in the ocean gripping the dog by its collar trying to submerge the frightened dog in the ocean. People approached him and screamed for him to release the dog, but Patino became more incensed until police finally became involved – pulled him to the shore and rescuing the dog.
The poor dog, who onlookers stated, saw the defendant kicking the dog. The pooch was comforted by the police officers who gently led him away and placed him in the back of their police car. The dog is currently safe.
If convicted, Mendoza-Patino faces up to seven years in jail and $12,000 in fines; animal cruelty carries a maximum sentence of five years behind bars.
Many thanks to the community, the lifeguards, the fire department and the police for intervening into this suspected case of animal cruelty and abuse. We have to be the voices for those who cannot speak.
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