GAINESVILLE, FL - August 21, 2020 - According to an online news report published on Gainesville.com, a man from Gainesville, Florida, has been arrested for allegedly striking his girlfriend and hitting her dog. The news report states that the man punched his girlfriend with his fist and struck the dog on its head with a pipe. The Gainesville Police Department arrested the 23-year-old Gainesville man on Friday, and he is facing numerous charges, including two felonies.
The 23-year-old suspect from 1406 SW 10th Terrace, Gainesville, Florida, was arrested and charged by the Gainesville Police Department. According to the man's arrest report, he is facing two counts of felony animal cruelty and one count of domestic battery.
According to the report, the incidents happened on two separate days, one incident on Sunday, and the other incident was on Monday. The female victim stated to the Gainesville Police officers that she witnessed ber boyfriend hitting her dog on its head with a heavy, long, metal post. The man's arrest report asserts that the dog's head had a cut.
According to statements made and posted in the news report, the two began an argument on Monday. The woman's dog was lying on a bed, the dog became scared, and the dog urinated on the bed. The suspect allegedly became very update, and the man began to hit the dog several times on top of the dog's head with the same metal pole.
A Gainesville Police officer, who responded to the domestic violence call, noticed a large open wound on top of the dog's head. The woman told the Gainesville Police officer that a veterinarian looked at the dog and that it was going to cost approximately $1,200 to provide medical treatment on the dog and close the wound.
The woman also stated to the Gainesville Police officers that her boyfriend hit her around four times with his fist and the suspect kicked her right leg several times. The Gainesville Police officers also reported the victim had bruising and swelling on her forehead.
Florida Statute 828.12(2) - Felony Animal Cruelty Charges in the State of Florida
In the State of Florida, it is against the law to intentionally act or fail to act in such a way that the result is the death, or excessive, or repeated infliction of needless suffering or pain on an animal. Felony animal cruelty is a crime and is a third-degree felony in the State of Florida. The crime of felony animal cruelty is level 3, according to Florida's Criminal Punishment Code. If found guilty of the crime, the punishment is a $5,000 fine, up to 5 years in prison, and manditory anger management treatment or psychological counseling. If a defendant is convicted of a second conviction of felony animal cruelty, the defendant will be fined at least $5,000 fine, and he or she will be required to spend a minimum of 6 months in jail.