LEE COUNTY, Fla. — A Florida man was arrested Monday after investigators said he threw a 3-year-old chihuahua off a balcony, breaking multiple bones.
The Lee County Sheriff's Office said its deputies responded to the Blue Pear Animal Hospital Sunday after a dog was admitted with serious injuries.
Deputies discovered the chihuahua was dropped off by a man who said his friend threw the dog off a balcony "like a football."
The chihuahua, named Raven, suffered multiple fractures, including a broken leg and broken mandible, according to the sheriff's office.
Lee County detectives tracked down the owner of the dog who was able to provide them with information that lead them to the suspect, 30-year-old Dalton Sousa.
Sousa was located and arrested Monday and charged with aggravated animal cruelty.
As of Tuesday, Raven is still in the care of the animal hospital and is expected to make a full recovery.
"Violent and abusive behavior towards an animal will NOT be tolerated in Lee County," Sheriff Carmine Marceno said. "This suspect will now pay the price for this disgusting crime."
