A disturbing video circulated on social media this Tuesday, showing a man abusing his dog on the balcony of an apartment in a high-rise near Plaza Miami. The footage reveals the man throwing what appears to be the animal's feces off the balcony and then repeatedly pushing the dog's head against the floor.
Following this, the man is seen picking up a sharp object—believed to be a knife—and striking the dog's head with the handle. Despite the outcry provoked by the images—shared from the popular Instagram account Only in Dade—no charges were filed against the dog's owner.
Police and Animal Services Respond
"Our officers responded to the location with Miami Dade Animal Services (MDAS). MDAS is conducting an investigation and has cited the man. The dog does not appear injured but was taken for a veterinary evaluation. We are also conducting our investigation," the Instagram account cited a statement from the Miami police.
"It was disturbing, but unfortunately, not surprising," said a resident who chose to remain anonymous in statements to Local 10. "As we live in this area, all the dog owners know each other. I've seen this owner mistreat his dog before," she added.
"It was heartbreaking to watch. I even witnessed his child kicking the dog, making me think this might be a common occurrence at home. Overall, it's a terrible way to keep a dog," another neighbor added.
Outcome of the Investigation
During the investigation, MDAS officers visited the man's apartment and found two dogs in acceptable conditions, with access to food and water. The owner assured authorities that he was following training procedures provided by a dog trainer at the time of the incident.
Despite this, MDAS warned him that the correction method used "was not advisable" and that the dogs should not be left unsupervised on the balcony. The owner was also cited for not having up-to-date vaccinations or license tags for both dogs.
Authorities ordered the dogs to be taken to MDAS for a full examination, and after review, the shelter's veterinarian found no injuries on either animal and confirmed both were in good health. Finally, investigators noted that the dogs' behavior did not indicate a negative relationship with their owner.
Nonetheless, the owner was advised to consider positive reinforcement training methods for both his well-being and that of the animals.
FAQs About Dog Abuse and Animal Services Response in Miami
In light of the recent incident involving a dog owner's abusive behavior caught on camera, here are some frequently asked questions and their answers regarding animal services' response and related issues in Miami.
What actions did Miami Dade Animal Services take in response to the video?
Miami Dade Animal Services investigated the situation, cited the dog owner, and took the dog for a veterinary evaluation. They also visited the owner's apartment to check on the conditions of the other pets.
Were any charges filed against the dog owner?
No charges were filed against the dog owner, but he was cited for not having up-to-date vaccinations or license tags for his pets.
What were the conditions of the dogs when animal services inspected them?
The dogs were found in acceptable conditions with access to food and water. A full examination by a veterinarian confirmed they were both in good health.
What training methods were recommended to the dog owner?
The owner was advised to consider positive reinforcement training methods for the well-being of both himself and his pets.