Boynton Beach, Florida – Witnesses and surveillance video helped lead to the arrest of a Florida man accused of violently abusing a black Labrador retriever named Rex. According to the Boynton Beach Police Department, 52-year-old Juan Latrez Poole was seen choking Rex, lifting him into the air and slamming him to the ground during two separate incidents on September 9 and September 10. Rex was seen wearing a red service dog vest on both days.
For Rex, the trauma was more than the physical pain. The person he should have been able to trust for safety and comfort instead became the source of his fear. To be choked, lifted and slammed to the ground by the person he depended on must have been terrifying. Surveillance video recording the abuse appears to capture that fear as Rex shakes and cowers.
The first witness reported seeing a man lift the retriever above his head and slam him to the ground near a bus stop outside Taco Bell in the 2300 block of South Federal Highway. The second witness told police they saw a man choke a black Lab with his leash, lift the dog off of the ground, swing him in the air and strike the dog with a water bottle. Police identified Juan Latrez Poole as the man behind both incidents.
Video of Poole’s arrest on September 14 shows him denying ever abusing his dog. He did, however, admit to being “verbally aggressive.”
At Poole’s first-appearance hearing Judge Donald W. Hafele set his bond at $30,000 and ordered him to have no contact with witnesses or animals. He subsequently posted the $30,000 bond and was released.
If convicted of aggravated animal cruelty, Poole faces penalties that can include up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000. Florida law also allows a court to prohibit a convicted person from owning or possessing animals. Please sign the petition to help Animal Victory push for the maximum sentence!
Warning: Video is disturbing.
We demand that Juan Latrez Poole be held fully accountable for the cruelty inflicted upon this innocent dog. The disturbing video shows Rex being violently abused by the man entrusted to care for him. Heartbreakingly, the video also shows Rex shaking and cowering in fear because of Poole’s violent behavior.
We demand that Poole face the strongest charges supported by the evidence and, if convicted, receive the maximum sentence permitted by law. At sentencing, we also want this man to be forbidden from owning or residing with animals in the future.
Animal Protection Laws for Florida
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Note:
Based on reports from authorities, details may change. All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty. Images may be illustrative.
Whether it’s a one-time or monthly gift, you will provide the support needed for abused children seeking justice as well as the help needed to raise the bar for animal welfare in the courtroom.
Be their CHAMPION today.
Whether it’s a one-time or monthly gift, you will provide the support needed for abused animals seeking justice as well as the help needed to raise the bar for animal welfare in the courtroom.
Be their CHAMPION today.
Whether it’s a one-time or monthly gift, you will provide the support needed for abused animals seeking justice as well as the help needed to raise the bar for animal welfare in the courtroom.
Be their CHAMPION today.
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