A 38-year-old Big Pine Key man was arrested Thursday night for severely beating a woman’s dog.
Armando Corzo was charged with animal cruelty.
The 5-year-old, female miniature poodle, “Ameretta,” is not expected to survive due to injuries to its neck, tongue, eye and brain. It also had several teeth knocked out.
Deputy Vince Pacifico was called to a veterinary hospital in Marathon on Wednesday where he found the dog and its owner. The woman’s friend told Deputy Pacifico that the owner’s boyfriend, later identified as Corzo, was drunk when he was left alone with the dog for about 45 minutes inside the owner’s apartment. The dog had no injuries at that time. The owner came home from work to find her dog lifeless on the floor. She asked Corzo what happened and he stated, “(Deleted) these dogs.” The owner has two miniature poodles. She and Corzo were dating. He does not reside at her Big Pine Key apartment, but he does have a key.
Deputy Pacifico then went to the apartment. He located several spots of blood in various areas of the kitchen and living room. He also found blood on the wall that suggested the dog struck the wall.
The owner told Deputy Pacifico that Corzo had been becoming increasingly upset with the dogs and taking increasingly more severe disciplinary action with them.
Deputy Pacifico spoke to the veterinarian. The veterinarian told him the dog suffered injuries consistent with being thrown, kicked or beaten with a blunt object.
The dog owner called Sgt. Jake Brady on Thursday afternoon and told him the veterinarian told her the dog was likely not going to survive.
Deputy Pacifico went to Corzo’s residence on Big Pine Key on Thursday night. Corzo declined to speak to Deputy Pacifico.
Corzo was taken to jail.