“There’s time in your life that you see or hear things that you just can’t believe that a person would do to another person or to a defenseless little animal.”
That’s what Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said before showing the photo of 21-years-old ANGEL ENRRIQUE BURGOS (pictured).
BURGOS is accused of viciously murdering two innocent and defenseless male Chihuahuas named Casper and Lincoln.
On March 26, 2024, the Haines City Police Department requested assistance from the Polk County Sheriff’s Office Animal Cruelty Investigations Unit regarding a report of animal cruelty.
An investigator then responded to the Hidden Lake Preserve neighborhood in Haines City and met with several witnesses. The investigator learned from the witnesses that they heard dogs yelping and saw BURGOS carrying a small dog to a pond and striking the dog multiple times.
One of the witnesses further said that they saw BURGOS throw the dog toward the water. The witness later found the dog at the pond, lifeless.
According to the press release by the sheriff’s office, the investigator recovered surveillance footage from several residents which showed exactly what witnesses described. BURGOS could be seen carrying two dogs to the pond and the furbabies could be heard loudly yelping. Both dogs were found dead at the pond.
Casper and Lincoln’s small bodies were sent to Veterinarian Doctor Centonze for a necropsy.
Doctor Centonze reported that Lincoln and Casper had puncture wounds “consistent with a sharp object”. Casper sustained seven (7) punctures, while Lincoln had fourteen (14) punctures.
Doctor Centonze further reported that Casper and Lincoln died from internal bleeding in the chest area which caused them to suffocate and drown on their own blood.
“Doctor Centonze advised this was a painful, horrible death”, stated the release.
When I asked the sheriff’s office how old Casper and Lincoln were, I was told: “According to family, Lincoln was about 5 or 6. Casper was about 3-4. The Vet who did the necropsy said they were both younger dogs, at least 3+ years old.”
The detective’s investigation determined that BURGOS “knowingly, willingly and unlawfully, used a sharp object to stab repeatedly” Casper and Lincoln causing them “great pain and suffering”. BURGOS’ vile and despicable actions led to Casper and Lincoln’s cruel death.
From the investigation it also emerged that BURGOS “attempted to conceal the incident by discarding clothing items and a knife inside trash bins.” He then used “a water hose and brush to clean the driveway to hide evidence of the incident.” Additionally, BURGOS “did attempt to alter, destroy, conceal and remove evidence located on the driveway area to prevent proper investigation.” Finally, BURGOS “did improperly discard two dogs he stabbed to death in a place where such carcasses could be devoured by beast or bird. The suspect did not bury at least two feet below ground or burn. The suspect did illegally dump the two dogs onto property owned by Hidden Lake Preserve.”
The murderer was arrested and transported to the Sheriff’s Processing Center by Haines City Police Department. He was charged with two felony counts of animal cruelty, tampering with evidence, two counts of improper disposal of deceased animals, and two counts of illegal dumping. The murderer also has two prior arrests for battery.
The murderer’s next court date is slated for April 30, 2024, at 8:15 a.m.
In a statement, Sheriff Judd said: “This behavior on Burgos’ part is disgusting. He caused the pain, suffering and death of two dogs for which he had a moral responsibility to nurture and provide care. Human depravity like this still shocks me. There is no excuse.”
Voice For Us Disclaimer: This story is sourced from the official press release by the Polk County Sheriff’s Office. Link included.
Please note that details may be removed or new information added should updates become available.
In the case of charges being dropped, dismissed, or the case being purged, this article will be rectified accordingly, if official documentation is provided to Voice For Us.
BURGOS’ mugshot shared from the Polk County Sheriff’s Office
