DORAL, FLA. (WSVN) - A man who was caught on cellphone video appearing to choke, punch and drag a dog in South Beach stood before a judge.
According to witnesses who saw the horrific animal abuse unfold Sunday, 51-year-old Louis Sepulveda planned to kill the dog because it attacked him earlier. The dog has since been taken to animal services for safety.
The suspect faced Miami-Dade Circuit Judge Gisela Cardonne Ely, Monday morning.
“When I read the arrest report, it was pretty shocking,” said Cardonne Ely.
Cellphone video caught Sepulveda apparently abusing a black Labrador, dragging it along the sidewalk in South Beach.
“I was angry to see something like that,” said onlooker Derrick Childrey, who was visiting from Alabama.
Several bystanders yelled at him and tried to make him stop as he was seen punching and choking the dog multiple times.
Childrey, one of the good Samaritans who came to the dog’s defense, said he and some other bystanders took action by pinning Sepulveda to the ground until beach cops arrived and eventually arrested him.
“I tackled the guy. I grabbed the dog and tackled the guy to the ground, and myself and some other patriots, we subdued him until the police got there.,” said Childrey.
The black Labrador, named Roy, is recovering at Miami-Dade Animal Services in Doral.
“Fortunately, he did not receive serious injuries as a result of the mistreatment that he experienced,” said MDAF spokesperson Flora Beal.
MDAF officials said Roy’s case is far from isolated.
“Things like this happen all the time, and sometimes they’re not in public view,” said Beal, “so it’s just important for our community to stay diligent and to make sure that they call 311 and report any incidents of suspected or witnessed abuse.”
“Sir, while you’re in Miami, if you bond out you are to have no contact whatsoever with any animals. Is that clear?” Cardonne Ely told Sepulveda.
Sepulveda has been charged with animal cruelty and is being held on a $7,500 bond.
“He needs to pay for what he’s done,” said Childrey. “I don’t think he should own an animal ever again in life.”
MDAF officials said Roy will eventually be put up for adoption.
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