TAMPA, Fla. – The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office released disturbing footage of a dog being thrown twice and kicked on Thursday.
The backstory:
“The terror she inflicted on this poor, helpless and loving little puppy ends today,” shared Sheriff Chad Chronister during a press conference on Monday.
Officials say the woman who threw the small dog, 33-year-old Imania Davis, is facing six charges of Aggravated Cruelty to Animals.
Courtesy: Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office
On Thursday around 8:20 p.m., Real Time Crime Center cameras captured footage of Davis throwing a dog not once, but twice, forcefully causing it to hit the asphalt, according to HCSO. The video also shows Davis kicking the dog.
“These cameras aren’t covert,” Chronister said. “This isn’t ‘Big Brother’ watching you. These cameras have flashing lights, ‘You’re on camera here’. We let them know they’re under video surveillance. We know that deters crime. She knows there’s a camera in the area. She sees a bunch of people around her and she still acted the way that she did in such a violent manner.”
Deputies say they responded to the scene and took the 1-year-old male Maltese puppy to a veterinarian, where it was treated for a broken leg.
The dog isn’t microchipped, and the sheriff’s office believes it was a stray.
“This little guy, because he’s so thin, was most likely just coming up to anybody who he could find so that he could try to find some food,” Chelsea Waldeck with the Hillsborough County Pet Resource Center said.
The Pet Resource Center says Davis also admitted that the puppy didn’t belong to her.
What they’re saying:
“This dog wasn’t a violent dog. This dog was only seeking love and attention and some affection,” said Sheriff Chronister. “And instead, she acted the way she did in such a violent and aggressive manner. But it won’t come to a surprise to you, as we did a criminal history, a little deep dive back on her that she’s got a history of violent behavior.”
According to the sheriff, Davis was previously arrested for committing battery. She made her first court appearance via video conference on Friday. Davis is being held on a $75,000 bond.
“I truly feel that anyone who would harm and inflict the type of pain she did to this little puppy has a special place in hell,” said Chronister.
What’s next:
On Wednesday, the Pet Resource Center released this statement:
“Despite the tireless efforts of our dedicated veterinary staff, The Pet Resource Center is saddened to share that the abused dog brought into our care passed away during surgery Tuesday. This remains an active investigation, and we continue to work closely with law enforcement. Animal cruelty has no place in our community, and we remain committed to seeking justice for this dog.”
“When we see cases like this, it breaks our hearts,” Waldeck said. “There are so many options out there for anybody, if you have found a stray or if it’s your own dog.”
The Source: Information for this story was collected from the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office.
