Boynton Beach man charged with felony animal cruelty after dog abuse caught on video, police say
By Andrelika McMillian
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BOYNTON BEACH, Fla. (WPBF) — A 52-year-old man was arrested Tuesday after witnesses and surveillance video allegedly captured him abusing a dog during two separate incidents in Boynton Beach, according to Boynton Beach police records.
Juan Latrez Poole was arrested Sept. 15 and charged with felony animal cruelty under Florida law. His bond was set at $1,000, according to the arrest report.
The investigation began Sept. 9 when officers responded to the 2300 block of South Federal Highway following a report that a man had lifted a black Labrador above his head and slammed the animal onto the ground near a bus stop, a probable cause affidavit states.
Officers were unable to find the man or the dog at the time.
Police received a second report the following morning in the same area. A witness told investigators she saw a man yank the dog’s leash, strike the animal with a bottle and lift it several feet off the ground by its leash before swinging it through the air.
The witness said the dog, which was wearing a red service dog vest, appeared terrified and was shaking and flinching, according to the affidavit.
Investigators reviewed surveillance footage from the area that they said showed both incidents. In footage from Sept. 9, police said the man grabbed the dog by its collar and a leg, lifted it over his head and forcefully slammed it onto the ground twice.
A second recording from Sept. 10 allegedly showed the man hit the dog in its side or chest with a bottle, wrap the leash around his hand and suspend the animal in the air as it flailed.
Boynton Beach police identified Poole after comparing the recordings with body camera footage from an unrelated August encounter involving a man with the same dog, service vest and backpack, the affidavit states. A witness later identified Poole in a photo lineup.
Investigators said the video, witness statements and identification established probable cause to charge Poole with felony animal cruelty.
The records did not provide information about the dog’s current condition or who has custody of the animal.
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