A surveillance camera in a Miami, Florida, apartment complex captured a moment that has appalled animal lovers worldwide: a man wearing a T-shirt bearing the logo of a pet grooming company brutally kicks a small dog.
Residents of the housing complex stated they did not recognise the dog seen in the video. However, the man’s appalling actions left no doubt that the animal was in distress. Shockingly, the perpetrator is a dog groomer.
Brutal kick in the stairwell
Reactions were swift. The Instagram page of Deluxe Mobile Pet Grooming, based in Hialeah, was inundated with outraged messages.
Users expressed disbelief and anger that a mobile groomer working for the company could treat an innocent animal in such a way, particularly one entrusted to him for care.
Many called for immediate consequences for the employee. In response, the company issued an apology in Spanish, promising "serious" measures against the perpetrator.
Animal protection law in Florida
Animal cruelty in Florida is a first-degree misdemeanour, punishable by imprisonment, fines, or both. In this case, the CCTV footage may prove crucial in securing a conviction.
Investigators are now hoping witnesses will come forward to help clarify the incident fully.
The case has sparked a broader debate about animal welfare and the responsibilities of dog groomers. "It breaks your heart to see something like this," wrote one Instagram user.
