Lehigh Acres man arrested, charged for aggravated animal abuse

A Lehigh Acres man is suspected of putting his dog through trauma by tying him to a basketball post tightly with a rope creating horrendous wounds to the four-legged animal’s neck. He has been arrested.

The suspect, Salvador Carbajal, 39, faces charges of F.F.S. Aggravated Animal Cruelty.

On March 4, Lee County Domestic Animal Services responded to a home at the 700 block of Palmetto Ave. in Lehigh Acres after 10:30 a.m. The person observed a large brown and white dog tied up to a basketball post, embedding a rope into the animal’s neck.

The rope created a severe wound to the neck while having a permeating odor of rotting flesh. The dog was panting heavily, according to the Lee County Sheriff’s Office press release. Two bowls were nearby with little water. A BMW was nearby where the dog tried to reach under for shade. A temperature reading found the dog had a fever.

A microchip on the dog identified as Walter and his owner as Carbajal. The dog would be impounded, transferred to LCDAS for medical treatment, the LCSO press release states. Near 2:30 p.m., Carbajal would surrender Walter to LCDAS because he did not have proof for veterinarian care.

A veterinarian evaluation found Walter had a normal body condition and had consistent feeding. However, the lead was embedded so deeply, his neck grew around it, requiring surgery.

Detectives would speak with those involved, including the domestic services employee and the veterinarian, per the press release. Then they would speak with Carbajal and arrest him soon afterwards.

Carbajal is in custody.

But there is a bright note to this story. Walter is back to scampering around and is expected to make a full recovery.

Watch the full LCSO press conference addressing the incident below: