Homestead Incident: Video of Dog Owner Punching Animal Sparks Outcry

DEBARYLIFE – Many are furious after seeing a Homestead resident punch his beloved dog in the face in a widely shared video.

A video of a dog’s owner repeatedly striking it in the face while holding it by the leash was uploaded by Only in Dade on Sunday. Based on available information, the event happened in a Homestead community off of 288th Street.

Neighbors are appalled by the footage. The video depicts behavior that shouldn’t be directed at any animal, they said NBC6, adding that they are appealing for the sad pet to receive justice.

Neighbor Fernando Zamora said, “Wow, that happened right here, that’s not right.” “I think those people shouldn’t own animals, they are close to being animals themselves.”

“When you attack a dog or any other animal, remember that animals also deserve to live in this world, perhaps even more so than humans. Jean, another neighbor, remarked, “They don’t deserve that.”

The NBC6 photo of the dog’s improvised kennel was provided by the Friends of Miami Animal Foundation. The owner allegedly has a history of acting in this manner, according to Yolanda Berkowitz, president of the foundation.

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It says a lot about animal welfare in our community, she continued, that this person felt it was acceptable to beat a dog with their fists in broad daylight.

If the owner has ever behaved out toward pets in this manner, Miami-Dade Police was contacted. Following a tipster’s Sunday submission of the video through Crimestoppers, police responded in a statement to say they were aware of it and had opened an investigation.

Miami-Dade Police will have Homestead Police’s cooperation in the investigation, according to a statement they released.

“We understand that the content of this video is deeply disturbing and has caused significant concern within our community and beyond,” said a statement. “We want to assure the public that animal abuse is taken very seriously, and we are committed to supporting the Miami-Dade Police Department in any way necessary.”

A welfare check must be done by investigators, according to Friends of Miami Animal Foundation, when a report is submitted. The dog or dogs will be in Miami-Dade Animal Services’ custody as evidence if the owner is found guilty of any offenses.

Neither the owner’s identity nor any arrests have been made by law enforcement as of Monday afternoon.

For anyone with information, Crimestoppers is offering a reward. You are asked to contact 305-471-TIPS if you know anything.