Immokalee man accused of throwing dog wrapped in Christmas lights near dumpster

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IMMOKALEE, Fla. A 49-year-old man was arrested Friday for throwing a dog by a dumpster on Trafford Road, according to the Collier County Sheriff’s Office.

Norberto Delarosa, of Immokalee, was accused of using electrical cord and Christmas lights to launch the dog near the dumpster on Sept. 12 at the Handy Food Store on 2902 Lake Trafford Rd., according to the sheriff’s office report.

A teenager saw the incident and alerted a deputy inside the store, the report said. The deputy found the dog severely injured with several abrasions on his paws and barely breathing.

The dog was placed on a stretcher and taken to a veterinarian in Naples, the report said. Domestic Animal Services officials were unsure if the dog was going to survive.

A few witnesses who were waiting in line for gas provided written statements, the report said. The witnesses were able to pick Delarosa out from a line-up on Sept. 19. as the suspect.

Delarosa was detained at his home Friday and told deputies the dog was saved from floodwater after Hurricane Irma and looked hungry, the report said. Delarosa also told deputies he drove the dog to the dumpster because there was plenty of food on the ground for the dog to eat.

Delarosa faces a charge of cruelty to animals and a bond has not yet been set.

The current health condition of the dog remains unclear.

 

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