Dog Beaten and Hung From Tree, Man Faces Child Abuse, Animal Cruelty Charges

Florida Man Accused of Beating Dog and Choking Girlfriend in Horrific Domestic Violence Case

In a chilling case of domestic abuse and animal cruelty, authorities in St. Lucie County, Florida, have arrested a 59-year-old Fort Pierce man who allegedly brutalized a dog and violently attacked his girlfriend. The man, identified as Delfino Rosales, is now facing multiple felony charges after a night of violence that stunned even seasoned law enforcement officers.

Deputies responded to a call on Tuesday evening about a domestic disturbance at a home on the 3000 block of South U.S. 1. When they arrived, Rosales’ girlfriend reported that she had come home to a horrifying sight—Rosales was repeatedly beating her small brown and white pit bull with a belt. When she tried to intervene, she said Rosales became enraged and choked her.

The alleged reason for the abuse? According to the victim, Rosales was angry that the dog would only respond to Spanish commands and not English. But the abuse didn’t end there. She further revealed that two days earlier, Rosales had hung the same dog from a backyard tree with a noose. He reportedly claimed the animal had attacked his chickens, and only after his own son intervened was the dog brought down and saved.

Deputies later found physical evidence of the abuse, including the noose hanging in the backyard. A young child, the woman’s son, was present during the attack and confirmed the events, even telling deputies that he tried to defend his mother by hitting Rosales.

Animal Control was immediately called to the scene and removed both of the woman’s dogs from the property for their safety. They are now in the care of St. Lucie County Animal Control, receiving the attention and care they were previously denied.

Rosales has been charged with battery by strangulation (domestic violence), animal cruelty, and child abuse. He is currently being held at the St. Lucie County Jail without bond.

The case has sparked outrage across the community, with animal rights advocates and citizens demanding justice. The horrifying nature of the allegations—a blend of domestic violence, animal torture, and the trauma inflicted on a child—has many calling for the harshest penalties possible under Florida law.

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This content was created with AI assistance and edited by the iHeartDogs team.