- Florida, USA -
The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office announced the arrest of 22-year-old DAIRON MICHAEL MOLINA (pictured).
On August 30, 2024, MOLINA brought an 11-month-old female Labrador mix puppy named Rose to an emergency vet. Rose had sustained a broken right rear femur and according to detectives, “the injury did not appear accidental.”
From the investigation into the incident it emerged that at the time of Rose’s injury, MOLINA was her “sole caretaker” and that Rose’s injury “would have had to occur from unjustifiable force”, stated the press release by the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office.
Detectives met with MOLINA on September 9, 2024, and questioned him about Rose’s injury.
According to the Affidavit obtained by Voice For Us, MOLINA provided conflicting explanations for the injury. He initially claimed that his roommate kicked Rose down the stairs. Then, MOLINA stated that Rose had fallen on her own down a carpeted and padded staircase.
The vet who examined Rose noted that the femur bone is the hardest bone in a dog's body and therefore “a simple fall down the stairs would not result in this type of injury. Instead, an extreme amount of force would be required to break this specific bone in the manner observed”, stated the Affidavit.
Based on the nature and severity of the injury, the vet suspected that Rose had been subjected to abuse and thankfully alerted Pinellas County Animal Services.
Furthermore, staff at the vet’s office reported that Rose “displayed signs of fear towards the defendant, attempting to crawl away from him on multiple occasions during her visit.”
The scum later surrendered Rose to Pinellas County Animal Services where further examination revealed that “her injured leg was hanging and moderately edematous, indicating significant trauma.”
Rose’s injury needed extensive surgery and “possibly amputation”, according to the Affidavit.
MOLINA, of 2843 Thaxton Drive # 34, Palm Harbor, was arrested and booked into the Pinellas County Jail on one felony count of cruelty to animals.
The Pinellas County Sheriff's Office said the investigation is ongoing.
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Voice For Us Disclaimer: This story is sourced from the Probable Cause Affidavit. 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.
MOLINA’s mugshot ad Rose’s pictures shared from the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office
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