A Florida man, Salomon Cruz-Perez, 42, has been arrested and charged with two felony counts of aggravated animal cruelty after authorities found two dead dogs hanging in his backyard. He is currently being held on a $10,000 bond.
Shocking Discovery by Police
The incident came to light when St. Lucie County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a domestic disturbance at Cruz-Perez’s home on Sunday evening. When officers arrived, no one answered the door. However, they heard noises coming from the backyard and decided to investigate.
To their horror, they discovered two dogs—a male and a female—hanging from a tree. The dogs were tied up using coaxial cable, paracord, tie-down straps, and chains around their necks. Cruz-Perez was present at the scene when authorities found them.
Cruz-Perez’s Shocking Explanation
When questioned, Cruz-Perez admitted that the dogs were his but claimed they must have “tied themselves up” by accident. Authorities found this explanation suspicious, given the complexity of the bindings used.
Later, during the investigation, it was revealed that Cruz-Perez had tried to have the dogs euthanized weeks before their deaths. However, the reason why he wanted to euthanize them was not immediately clear.
Police Investigation and Charges
After obtaining a search warrant, police conducted a thorough investigation at the home on Monday. St. Lucie County Animal Control later arrived to collect the dogs’ bodies as part of the case.
At a press conference, Sheriff Richard Del Toro expressed shock and disgust over the incident. Authorities are treating the case as a serious act of animal cruelty, and Cruz-Perez now faces severe legal consequences.
What Happens Next?
Cruz-Perez is currently in custody and awaiting further legal proceedings. If found guilty, he could face harsh penalties for animal cruelty. The case has sparked outrage in the community, with many calling for justice for the two innocent dogs.
Animal rights organizations and local authorities continue to investigate the incident to ensure that no other animals were harmed and to prevent similar cases in the future.
