MIAMI (WSVN) - Miami-Dade Police are investigating an Instagram post that threatened the life of Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Giménez and his family.
A Canadian man posted the threat this month in response to an Instagram post made by Giménez in early 2015. Giménez posted a flier advertising half-price adoptions for animals at the county’s shelter, then located in Medley, and according to the Miami Herald, the user, “nakmuaythai” responded ominously: “Better watch yourself in Miami i don’t have much to lose, ever see what s person that nothing to lose is capable of?? i WILL kill you if not ill start with your family and loved ones [sic].”
“This is obviously very concerning to myself, but not only for my personal safety, but really for my family’s safety,” said Giménez. “Somebody who threatens my family I’m not going to take it lightly.”
Miami-Dade County has since opened a brand new, larger animal shelter in Doral, but the mayor has been criticized by animal activists for his decision not to seek money for a successful referendum to pay for spay neuter services.
The comment has since been deleted, but the man behind the Instagram account, Daniel Bowes, has added a new one: “WOW..COMPLETE SCUMBAG.”
Miami-Dade Police confirmed, Thursday, they’re looking into the death threat.
“We are investigating, and it’s an active/open investigation. We will provide additional information as it becomes available for release,” MDPD said in a statement.
Giménez blamed an animal rights group that he said has spread lies.
“I take it very seriously because that’s one threat from somebody in Canada. From what I understand, the individual may be in Canada. It’s still under investigation,” Giménez said. “But the vitriol, the comments, and the passion that has been stirred by this group with lies — flat out, outrageous lies that some people unfortunately believe — then yeah, I’m starting to take this a little bit more seriously.”
Giménez said the county has revamped its animal services program and will continue to do so.
“We’ve done more in my administration for pets than all previous administrations combined,” Giménez said, “and so my record speaks for itself.”
The Director of Miami-Dade Animal Services has defended the department’s progress, saying that funding and adoptions are both up.
Many animal activists have taken to social media to disavow the threat.
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