Florida man charged with animal cruelty after beating puppy at Clearwater Beach
On March 15, police in Clearwater, Florida, reported arresting 20-year-old Noah Counts, of Dade City for animal cruelty regarding a criminal act he reportedly performed while at Clearwater Beach with his pup.
Multiple witnesses saw Counts kick a three-month-old puppy in the face, drag it by its leash and throw it over a wall. Counts was taken into custody and booked into the Pinellas County Jail.
According to the Clearwater Police Department, Counts shouldn’t have had the dog at the beach in the first place, because city ordinances do not allow dogs at that location. Officers also found a charcoal grill, which is illegal at the beach, and two open containers of alcohol, which also violates the city ordinance.
Counts told an officer he was upset with the dog because the puppy was eating food that did not belong to him.
The State of Florida takes animal cruelty convictions seriously. 2018 Florida Statutes regarding animal cruelty specify that those found guilty could face a mandatory fine of $10,000 or ordered to pay a minimum mandatory fine of $2,500 and undergo psychological counseling or complete an anger management treatment program.
There was no word concerning the condition of the abused puppy.
(Source / Noah Counts Mugshot: Clearwater PD)
~ Posted by Richard Webster, Ace News Today / Connect with Richard on Facebook and Twitter
