Miami-Dade County Animal Services investigation leads to an arrest in barbaric case of animal cruelty
(MIAMI, Nov. 19, 2014) –The vigilant investigation into horrific allegations involving animal mutilation and neglect by Miami-Dade County Animal Services Department, led to the arrest of Lazaro Ruiz on November 17, 2014.
The Animal Services Department initiated their investigation based on postings obtained from various social media sites depicting Mr. Ruiz with horribly mutilated puppies and an adult dog butchered in what appears to be a barbaric home caesarean section. The Department was able to link the faceless individual in the photos to Mr. Ruiz based on tattoos evident in the postings.
On July 16, 2014, Animal Services Investigators with assistance from Homestead Police Department were able to identify an address linked to Mr. Ruiz’s female companion in one of the social media posts. An inspection of the property resulted in the Animal Services Department confiscating three adult dogs from the property which were found in grave distress confined in a plastic crate without any shade. The external temperature of the crate registered at 118.7°F, posing serious risk of death to the dogs.
The Animal Services Department and County Attorney’s Office immediately petitioned the court for custody of the three dogs which was granted. Based on the evidence provided to the court Mr. Ruiz and his female companion were barred from possessing any other pets in the future, neither Mr. Ruiz nor his female companion appeared at the hearing.
The four dogs confiscated by the Animal Services Department on Nov. 18, 2014, are being assessed by shelter veterinarians and will be provided with the intensive care and rehabilitation they require. The confiscated dogs are American Bulldog/Terrier mixes and will be available for adoption pending resolution of the case.
“The Department is pleased with the charges filed by the State Attorney’s Office and is relieved that this individual’s reign of terror against innocent animals has come to an end”, said Alex Muñoz, Director, Animal Services Department.
About Miami-Dade County Animal Services
More than 27,000 pets are abandoned each year at the shelter where staff and volunteers work diligently to reunite, re-home or find a Rescue Partner for the animals. The Department is also responsible for enforcing Chapter 5 of the Miami-Dade County Code and Florida State Statutes pertaining to animal cruelty and neglect. For more information, please call 311 or visit our website at www.miamidade.gov/animals.
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It is the policy of Miami Dade County to comply with all of the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act. The facility is accessible. For sign language interpreters, assistive listening devices or materials in accessible format, please call 305-418-7188 at least five days in advance.
MIAMI-DADE COUNTY ANIMAL SERVICES
7401 NW 74 Street
Miami, FL 33166
305-884-1101