PALM HARBOR, Fla. — A man in Palm Harbor was arrested and charged with animal cruelty after deputies say his 11-month-old puppy's broken leg may need to be amputated.
Detectives with the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office say their investigation began after getting word that the Labrador mix, named Rose, had a broken right rear femur and her injury didn't look accidental.
Detectives say on Aug. 30, 22-year-old Dairon Molina brought Rose to an emergency vet with a broken leg. Vets examining Rose reportedly determined the pup's injury was serious and amputating the leg might be required.
When Rose was hurt, Molina was her sole caretaker, detectives said. Moreover, detectives say Rose's leg break could only have happened if someone had used "unjustifiable force" to injure her.
Detectives said they met with Molina on Sept. 9. During their interview with him, the sheriff's office says he gave "inconsistent statements" about how Rose's leg broke.
That same day, Molina surrendered ownership of Rose, the sheriff's office said. Detectives reportedly arrested Molina and charged him with one count of cruelty to animals and booked him in the Pinellas County Jail.
The sheriff's office says its investigation is ongoing.