He Sat In Parked Car Gasping For Air After Couple Tied His Snout Shut & Left
Lee County Sheriff Carmine Marcelo takes animal cruelty very seriously in Lee County, Florida, writes ilovemydogsomuch
“I’ve made it crystal clear since the beginning. You abuse and neglect an animal in Lee County, it’s not if, you are absolutely going to prison,” he said in a statement. And Marcelo has certainly kept his word after two dogs were found inside an SUV in an Estero Walmart parking lot, in dire need of help.
Deputies responded to a call regarding a puppy inside a car in distress, hanging halfway out the window with his mouth taped shut. Upon arrival, deputies learned that the nine-week-old Pyrenees puppy had a training lead tightly wrapped around his snout, and both dogs were left alone in the vehicle without food or water.
Police quickly identified and arrested the dog’s owners, Jaelen Anthony Barge and Allison Marie Sweck.
The South District Criminal Investigations Division and Animal Cruelty Task Force immediately
Due to the nature of the crime, detectives from our South District Criminal Investigations Division and Animal Cruelty Task Force assumed the investigation. While investigating, detectives learned the proper use of the training lead the suspects utilized is to provide gentle control to help keep a dog from pulling during walks, not to be used as a muzzle.
“It disgusts me that an innocent puppy was left alone in a vehicle, unable to eat, breathe, or drink,” Sheriff Marceno said. “This type of behavior will not be tolerated in Lee County. It is unbelievable something so senseless could occur. I am proud to say due to the hard work of our detectives, these heartless criminals are behind bars where they belong.”
Barge and Sweck were booked into Lee County Jail and charged with one count each of Aggravated Anima Cruelty and one count of Animal Cruelty.
The puppy is now safe and recovering at the Lee County Domestic Animal Services.
Hear Sheriff Marceno speak about the case and share his love for animals and intolerance for animal abuse in the video below.
Source: ilovemydogsomuch.tv
