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11 months ago
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A Florida man was arrested for strangling a 16-year-old dog, bundling her into a trash bag and leaving her in a dumpster to die, police said.
Anthony Bellman, 55, was seen on surveillance camera tossing a black garbage bag into a dumpster behind the Lehigh Acres Family Dollar on Bell Boulevard. He got into a blue SUV and sped off.
'We are one team that comes together to be a voice for the innocent, such as Xyla,' Lee County Sheriff Carmine Marceno said Monday. 'We will never stop holding individuals accountable for these heinous actions here in this county.'
On December 14, an employee found the bag and discovered the mostly blind Shih Tzu inside. Xyla had a rope around her neck when found.
Police said Bellman had tried to strangle the dog and snap her neck with a belt instead of taking her to be euthanized.
Anthony Bellman, 55, was arrested and charged with aggravated animal cruelty after he was caught on surveillance video flinging a trash bag containing a 16-year-old Shih Tzu into a dumpster, police said
An employee at the Lehigh Acres Family Dollar saw the bag moving and rescued the mostly blind dog, named Xyla, who had a rope around her neck
Bellman told his family he was taking Xyla to be put down, but he bundled her into a trash bag and left her to die
Bellman later told detectives euthanasia would have been 'too sad,' according to NBC 2.
Employees of the dollar store took Xyla to Blue Pearl Pet Hospital, according to Lee County Sheriff's Office.
When veterinary staff scanned Xyla's microchip, they learned that the original owners were dead. Detectives connected the dog to Bellman, who had adopted Xyla after their passing.
'Key details led detectives to a nearby residence with the same vehicle matching that driven by the suspect in the surveillance footage,' the sheriff's office wrote in a Facebook post.
The 55-year-old was wearing the same clothing as the suspect in the video.
He was taken for questioning and subsequently charged with one count of aggravated animal cruelty.
Xyla is recovering from her injuries at Lee County Domestic Animal Services. The sheriff's office plans to work with the State Attorney's Office to find her a 'loving home.'
'I'm proud to announce that justice was indeed served upon a selfish and cruel individual, who clearly has no regard for animals,' Sheriff Marceno said.
Xyla was taken to Blue Pearl Pet Hospital, where veterinary staff scanned her microchip and learned that her original owners had died
Xyla is recovering from her injuries at Lee County Domestic Animal Services. The sheriff's office plans to work with the State Attorney's Office to find her a 'loving home'
Lee County Sheriff Carmine Marceno spoke at a press conference Monday and announced that Bellman would be added to the recently-approved animal abuser registry
If convicted, Bellman faces up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000. His name will also be added to Lee County's animal abuse registry
The Shih Tzu is recovering at Lee County Domestic Animal Services and will be put up for adoption
Aggravated animal cruelty is a third-degree felony in Florida, punishable by up to five years in prison and a fine of up $10,000.
Bellman posted a $50,000 surety bond Friday. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for January 16.
The 55-year-old 'will now earn a much-deserved spot on our newly approved animal abuse registry,' the sheriff's office said.
Earlier this month, Lee County Commissioners voted to approve the creation of an index that will function similarly to the sex offender registry.
Those convicted of animal abuse will have their names added to the list to dissuade others from allowing them to adopt pets.
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