In a press release by the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office in Hillsborough, Florida a man has been arrested in the poisoning and subsequent death of his girlfriend’s tiny poodle mix.
It had been back in May 2025, when Paula Fernandez had left for a trip leaving her boyfriend, Edwin Campuzano with her dog, Milo. Campuzano left poisoned pellets in the pup’s food bowl. And if you’re wondering why … well, it seems Campuzano did not like the three-year-old Poodle/Maltese pup.
The dog later died, but some of the pellets still remained in the pup’s bowl. A receipt from a store showed Campuzano had purchased the poisoned pellets, designed to kill rats, from the nearby Tractor Supply just days before Paula left on her trip.
The disturbing incident had been reported to the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office in December, and an arrest was made on January 16, 2026. Campuzano has been charged with Aggravated Animal Cruelty.
At the time, Campuzano was a full-time law enforcement officer with the Bartow Police Department, but is no longer employed by the agency.
Sheriff Chad Chronister from HCSO stated:
This was a cruel and deliberate act. we will always protect the most vulnerable, including animals, and we will hold people accountable no matter who they are or what position they hold.
You have to be beyond cruel to harm a defenseless animal.
Rest in peace Milo. We are so sad you were betrayed.
What a sweet little guy. Here’s a video clip of Milo:
Follow the National Pet Rescue on Facebook for the latest animal related news.
Stingrays
