What happened: A man found himself in handcuffs after multiple 911 callers reported seeing him slam and lift a black Labrador in a service vest off the ground by its leash while walking the dog in Boynton Beach.
Background: A criminal complaint from the Boynton Beach Police Department states that officers responded to South Federal Highway on Wednesday, Sept. 9, after a 911 caller reported seeing a man slam a black Labrador retriever wearing a red service vest.
The caller said the man lifted the dog above his head and slammed it onto the ground. By the time officers arrived, neither the man nor the dog could be found, the arrest report states.
The following day, another 911 caller reported seeing a man choke a black Labrador with a leash near 23rd Avenue and Federal Highway. The caller said the man lifted the dog off the ground by its leash, swung it and later struck it with a water bottle.
The dog was described as being terrified and shaking. Using video surveillance footage, investigators confirmed the events described and identified the suspect as Juan Poole.
Poole was booked on charges of animal cruelty.
The available details are limited to the information verified at publication time. Readers should expect updates as the matter develops.
Any person identified in connection with an alleged offense is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
Source: official sources including CBS12 News.
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