- Florida, USA -
An investigation into a suspected case of abuse involving a puppy resulted in detectives with the Collier County Sheriff’s Office Animal Cruelty Investigations Alliance to arrest 23-years-old ROBERT WILLIAM GARON (pictured).
The investigation was launched on August 2, 2022, after the sheriff's office was contacted by Collier County Domestic Animal Services who reported possible abuse inflicted on a 5-month-old Goldendoodle puppy.
From the investigation it emerged that on July 29, 2022, GARON and his girlfriend brought their puppy, named Buzz Lightyear, to the Emergency Pet Hospital on 6530 Dudley Drive.
Buzz Lightyear was injured and the duo were unable to provide hospital staff with an explanation for his injuries. Reportedly, the girlfriend came back home to find Buzz Lightyear near to death.
According to Collier County Sheriff’s Office Law & Order News, “The puppy was wet, disoriented, and unable to breathe normally. The dog was unable to stand or pick its head up.”
An examination revealed possible head trauma, bruising to the right ear and mouth, and muscle damage throughout the body. X-rays also showed contusions to the lung. Sadly, despite treatment, Buzz Lightyear died at the hospital from his injuries.
The hospital was later contacted by a witness who told staff that on July 29, 2022, they heard GARON beating the puppy.
Due to the allegations of abuse, hospital staff contacted Domestic Animal Services who subsequently alerted the sheriff’s office
As part of the investigation, veterinarian Dr. John Morton performed a necropsy on Buzz Lightyear at Humane Society Naples.
The necropsy report included the following:
“This dog’s death was caused by non-accidental, blunt force trauma to the head and body with secondary internal hemorrhage. I believe he suffered significantly from his injuries before death.”
Through the investigation detectives determined that GARON had inflicted the injuries.
WINK reports that witnesses said in a sworn statement that “the puppy was crying and yelping out in pain as he was beaten to death.”
Two witnesses told authorities that GARON “while intoxicated, locked himself into a room and beat the dog.” According to the witnesses they could not enter the room, but the beating continued for several minutes until the crying stopped.
GARON, of 7545 Campania Way #207 Naples, was taken into custody Thursday, August 11, 2022.
He was booked into the Collier County Jail on one count of cruelty to animals causing cruel death, pain or suffering. Online records show GARON was released after posting bond!
GARON is slated to be back in court on September 6, 2022.
Sheriff Kevin Rambosk said: “This is one of the worst cases of animal abuse we’ve seen. No animal should ever have to suffer such a death.”
And yet, according to WINK: “Authorities say this is the second dog in five months to die in his (GARON's) care.”
During GARON’s first court appearance on Friday, August 12, 2022, a judge set bail for GARON at $150,000. His defense attorneys asked for $10,000. GARON has been ordered to not have any animals or contact witnesses.
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