Man arrested for animal cruelty after his dog found dead with mouth taped shut

Published: Updated:
William Leonard Hilyard II, 44. Credit: Lee County Sheriff’s Office.

Cape Coral police arrested a 44-year-old man for animal cruelty after his dog was found dead with its mouth taped closed with electrical tape.

According to CCPD, they received a call early Tuesday from William Hilyard after he saw a story about his dog on the news.

After talking with Hilyard, officers developed probable cause to arrest Hilyard for aggravated animal cruelty in the death of his 17-year-old Shiba Inu.

Hilyard is in the Lee County Jail. A judge set his bond Wednesday at $5,000 and ordered that he not have any pets, should he bond out. The judge also said the cat belonging to Hilyard’s 9-year-old son must be given to someone else for the time being.

No further details on the case have been provided.

A dog was found dead with its mouth taped shut in North Fort Myers on Monday, June 15, 2020. Credit: Tammie Read.

Copyright ©2024 Fort Myers Broadcasting. All rights reserved.

This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without prior written consent.