In Lehigh Acres, Florida, a man was arrested on Monday afternoon after he was alleged to have thrown his neighbor’s 16-year-old Shih Tzu into a dumpster.
According to the Lee County Sheriff’s Office, Anthony Bellman, 55, faces aggravated animal cruelty charges. It had been an employee of the Family Dollar Store who discovered the dog inside of the dumpster on December 14. The dog had been stuffed into a plastic bag with a rope around her neck.
Xyla was microchipped, however her previous owner had died. After being interviewed, Bellman allegedly told authorities he had told the family he would take Xyla to the nearest humane shelter to be euthanized.
On Monday, Sheriff Carmine Marceno held a press conference announcing the arrest of Anthony Bellman. Bellman had been caught on video throwing the Shih Tzu, Xyla into a dumpster behind the area Family Dollar Store. Luis Llado found the dog, and along with other employees of the store, rushed the dog to a nearby veterinarian and reported the disturbing situation to the Lee County Sheriff’s Office.
The Animal Cruelty Task Force and East District Criminal Investigations Division launched an investigation and arrested Bellman for aggravated animal cruelty.
Sheriff Marceno thanked Llado and thanked him before it would have been too late for Xyla. Mr. Llado was later presented with an award for his outstanding service to the community.
Xyla is still recovering, and it is hoped she can be placed with a loving family.
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