Cape Coral, United States - August 26, 2024

The Lee County Sheriff’s Office has launched an investigation following a disturbing 14-second video that surfaced on social media, capturing an incident where a man was seen grabbing one of his dogs by the neck in Cape Coral. The video, which quickly went viral, led to numerous tags and shares, prompting action from the local authorities.

The footage, now central to an ongoing probe by the Sheriff's Office's Animal Cruelty Task Force, shows the man, while walking two dogs, seemingly bumping into one with his leg before aggressively handling the other by its neck.

In response to the community's outcry, the Sheriff's Office announced through a press release on their Facebook page that they have identified and located the dog's owner. Although the owner's name has not been disclosed due to the active nature of the investigation, officials confirmed that he has been cooperative.

Sheriff Carmine Marceno, known for his staunch stance against animal cruelty, stated, "I will continue to seek justice for those that cannot protect themselves. I have a zero-tolerance stance for animal cruelty and abuse." His commitment underscores the seriousness with which the Sheriff's Office is treating this case.

Upon learning of the video's circulation on social media, the suspect proactively reached out to law enforcement. Subsequent medical evaluations confirmed that both dogs involved are in good health, alleviating some public concern regarding their immediate welfare.

The investigation continues with close collaboration between the Sheriff's deputies, Lee County Domestic Animal Services, and consultations with the State Attorney’s Office to determine the appropriate course of action.