An alleged animal abuser strangled his chihuahua with a leash then threw the dog’s body into some bushes, police said.
Cesar Cruz Sanchez, 36, was arrested on Sunday after he was caught on surveillance video pulling his 6-year-old dog, named Canelo, by its leash as it resisted walking, in Lake Wales, Florida.
A witness told police that Sanchez used the leash to strangle Canelo before tossing the dog into bushes near a lake.
Sanchez told police that he was angry at the dog for laying on baby furniture. He was arrested for animal cruelty and booked into the Polk County Jail, according to NBC 8.
Police initially thought Canelo died, but a person later contacted Animal Control and reported finding an injured stray dog believed to have been Sanchez’s pet – then said he returned it to the owner.
Animal Control responded to Sanchez home and Canelo was surrendered to authorities.
‘Although we are sickened at the treatment Canelo received by his owner, Cesar Cruz Sanchez, we are happy Canelo is still alive and will be treated will at the Polk County Sheriff’s Office,’ police said in a statement.
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