‘Like a football:’ Florida man tosses chihuahua named Raven off 3rd-story balcony breaking dog’s leg, jaw, cops say

A Florida man allegedly threw a 3-year-old chihuahua named Raven from a third-story balcony following an argument with the dog’s owner.

Deputies with the Lee County Sheriff’s Office responded around 6:45 a.m. Sunday to Blue Pearl Animal Hospital in Fort Myers when a dog owner had a verbal altercation with a veterinarian at the facility while dropping off Raven. The dog had an open fracture to her left front leg, abrasions to her chest and a broken jaw. The owner told staff that he got into an altercation with an “unknown male” who proceeded to throw the dog off the balcony “like a football,” a probable cause arrest affidavit said.

He refused to give the identity of the offender or the location where the incident occurred, cops said. When the vet tried to get more information, he became “disorderly” and an argument ensued, the affidavit said. The owner left the dog behind with the vet and drove away before deputies arrived, saying he couldn’t afford the medical expenses for Raven, according to the affidavit.

Cops contacted the owner on the phone and he reportedly told them the same story and said he only knew the offender as “Dalton.” He said he went to a friend’s home to drink when he and “Dalton” got into a fight. He was leaving when he realized he didn’t have Raven. That’s when the suspect allegedly tossed the dog off the balcony.

Raven’s owner gave cops the suspect’s contact information. Deputies identified him as 30-year-old Dalton Chad Sousa. They arrested him on a charge of aggravated animal cruelty. He gave a statement to deputies but it’s redacted on the arrest affidavit. As of Tuesday afternoon, Sousa remained at the Lee County Jail on a $5,000 bond. He has a court date scheduled for Oct. 14.

“It is always disappointing to learn of an innocent animal abused by an owner they trust. I will continue to do my part to stand up for those who cannot protect themselves,” Sheriff Carmine Marceno said in a statement. “Violent and abusive behavior towards an animal will not be tolerated in Lee County. This suspect will now pay the price for this disgusting crime.”

Raven will need surgery to repair her injuries but is expected to make a full recovery.

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