A man was arrested after CCTV caught him throwing a 16-year-old Shih Tzu into a dumpster in Lehigh Acres, Florida, before driving off.

Footage from December 14 shows the man tossing a trash bag containing the pooch named Xyla into the bin at a Family Dollar store.

Store employees rushed Xyla to Blue Pearl Pet Hospital after finding the dog in the bin with a rope tied around her neck.

The Lee County Sheriff's Office (LCSO) Animal Cruelty Task Force and East District found the dog was microchipped and managed to track down Anthony Bellman who was later arrested for aggravated animal cruelty.

Xyla is currently recovering at Lee County Domestic Animal Services, and efforts are underway to find her a loving home in collaboration with the State Attorney's Office.

Sheriff Marceno emphasizes a commitment to justice, stating, "We will never stop holding individuals accountable for their heinous actions towards innocent animals like Xyla. We are one team that comes together for the innocence held in this county."

This footage was filmed and produced 14 December 2023.

In a harrowing incident on Thursday, December 14th, employees at a Family Dollar store made a disturbing discovery in their dumpster. A trash bag, wriggling with movement, revealed a sixteen-year-old Shih Tzu named Xyla with a rope around her neck. Recognizing the evident signs of purposeful abuse, the quick-thinking employees rushed Xyla to Blue Pearl Pet Hospital for urgent evaluation.

The Lee County Sheriff's Office (LCSO) Animal Cruelty Task Force and East District detectives swiftly responded, locating surveillance footage that captured the heartless act. The footage revealed the suspect arriving at the dumpster, removing a bundled trash bag from his vehicle, and callously tossing it from a distance.

During the investigation, detectives discovered that Xyla was micro-chipped, leading them to a nearby residence matching the suspect's vehicle. Anthony Bellman, identified through a series of key details and matching clothing, was taken in for questioning. Subsequently, Bellman faces charges of Aggravated Animal Cruelty and has been booked into the Marceno Motel.

Xyla is currently recovering at Lee County Domestic Animal Services, and efforts are underway to find her a loving home in collaboration with the State Attorney's Office. Sheriff Marceno emphasizes a commitment to justice, stating, "We will never stop holding individuals accountable for their heinous actions towards innocent animals like Xyla. We are one team that comes together for the innocence held in this county."

Adorable Shih Tzu Thrown Into Dumpster in Disturbing Incident in Lehigh Acres, FL, USA