A Florida couple, Charolette Dellinger and David Neely, both 57, were arrested on animal cruelty charges after a neighbor's home security camera captured footage of them allegedly hitting, kicking, and slamming their two French bulldogs. The incident occurred shortly after National Dog Day.
Neighbor Annabel Morris alerted authorities after hearing a commotion and seeing the alleged abuse. She initially recorded the events on her phone and subsequently discovered her home security system had also captured the disturbing behavior. The video reportedly shows the dogs being struck, kicked, thrown against a fence, and subjected to shouting.
Santa Rosa County Sheriff officials arrested Dellinger and Neely on Friday. Chief Deputy Randy Tifft stated that individuals who become frustrated with their pets should simply walk away. He noted an increase in animal cruelty cases in recent months, adding, "It’s sad. 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."
Santa Rosa County Animal Services confirmed that the two French bulldogs are now safe and under their care. A statement released by the agency indicated that all animals from the property were secured at the shelter as of August 28 and have been evaluated by veterinarians. The individuals involved are facing prosecution.
Information regarding the ongoing criminal investigation is limited. Dellinger and Neely were released on Saturday afternoon after posting a combined bond of $15,000. Social media profiles reportedly show Dellinger portraying herself as a dog lover, a stark contrast to the actions captured on video.