Neighbors say they're shocked and upset after a man was arrested for beating his pet dog to death on Miami Beach.
The seven-month-old puppy's lifeless body was found in the courtyard of an apartment complex on Meridian Avenue Thursday afternoon.
Miami Beach Police say the puppy's owner, 20-year-old Woody Pierre, kicked it repeatedly and left it out in the hot sun without food or shade. He was allegedly upset that the dog went to the bathroom in his friend's apartment.
Detectives said multiple witnesses saw the beating and called 911. Neighbors who spoke with NBC 6 Friday said they'd seen Pierre walk the dog before and couldn't believe he was capable of killing it.
"Actually I saw the guy a couple days ago walking his dog, and from what I had seen with him and the dog, it's not, it's out of character, you could call it out of character," said a neighbor, Martin, who didn't want to give his last name.
Pierre was arrested and charged with one count of animal cruelty with intent to kill and one count of cannabis possession, according to an arrest affidavit.
"These allegations are disturbing, vicious acts against helpless, voiceless creatures that we all need to protect," Miami-Dade State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle said. "They're extremely vulnerable, and that's one of the reasons we so vigorously prosecute these animal abuse cases."
Many of Pierre's neighbors said they were outraged over the incident.
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"It's a terrible thing, I love dogs and animals. It's not good, very bad, a terrible thing," neighbor Henry Rivera said.
"I think it's sick and goes to show you what goes through the minds of some people," said Isaac, another neighbor who didn't want to give his last name.
