A Florida couple, Charolette Dellinger and David Neely, both 57, have been arrested on animal cruelty charges after a video surfaced showing them abusing their two French bulldogs. The incidents were captured on a neighbor's home security camera and phone.
The bulldogs were rescued last week by Santa Rosa County Animal Services. Exclusive photos obtained by the Daily Mail show the animals to be visibly traumatized.
According to Randy Lambert, Chief of Santa Rosa County Animal Services, the dogs will remain in their care while the investigation proceeds. "Because this is an active criminal investigation, any decisions regarding the dogs’ future, including whether they may eventually be available for adoption, will be determined as the case progresses and in accordance with the applicable legal process," Lambert told the Daily Mail. "For now, our focus is simply on making sure the dogs are safe, healthy and well cared for."
Lambert also expressed his appreciation for community members who reported the abuse, stating, "Their communication helps us do our job and advocate for animals who cannot speak for themselves."
The neighbor, Annabel Morris, reported hearing a commotion and began recording the incident with her phone. She later discovered her home security camera had also captured the alleged abuse, which included the dogs being slapped, kicked, and slammed against a fence, along with verbal shouting from their owners.
Santa Rosa County Sheriff officials arrested Dellinger and Neely on Friday. Chief Deputy Randy Tifft of the Santa Rosa County Sheriff's Office noted an increase in animal cruelty cases in recent months. "It’s sad," Tifft said. "And a lot of them have been pretty bad. So, if you’re going to treat your animals like that, you don’t need to have any animals."
Dellinger and Neely were released on Saturday afternoon after posting a combined bond of $15,000.
