Deputies looking for suspect caught on camera punching dog at SWFL gas station

Reporter: Zach Oliveri Writer: Derrick Shaw
Published: Updated:
A man seen punching a dog at a Fort Myers RaceTrac gas station. Credit: Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers.

Law enforcement needs help identifying a suspect caught on video brutally punching a dog in a car at a gas station somewhere in Southwest Florida on Tuesday.

This video is vicious. An unidentified man throwing punch after punch at a dog in the backseat of what appears to be a gold or tan Chrysler 200. Crimestoppers wants everyone to see this video. They hope you recognize the guy or the car and help provide information that will lead to an arrest.

“This guy is the lowest of the low to be able to do something like that,” said Trish Routte, with Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers.

“It’s a very pathetic display of being a coward,” said Gulf Coast Humane Society Community Relations Coordinator Brian Wierima.

After he’s done throwing punches, the man is seen crawling out of the car before he slams the door and stomps to the passenger seat.  “It almost seems like this is typical behavior for this individual and that’s scary in itself,” said Routte.

When a human unleashes this kind of anger on an animal, Wierma said he thinks it’s happened before; A lot. “The longer it happens you know the worse it can get,” said Wierma.

“Somebody that has the capacity to show that kind of anger. That kind of violence towards an animal, lord knows what he would do to a human being,” said Routte.

Crimestoppers said someone shot the video at a Racetrac in the Fort Myers area on Tuesday, March 29. The exact Racetrac where the violent animal abuse took place is unknown.

“We’re confident that someone is going to recognize this guy. Whether it’s his mannerisms. The way he looks. Something about the vehicle,” said Routte.

If you saw this act of animal cruelty take place or you can identify the male subject, the vehicle or the Racetrac at which this took place, you can call SWFL Crime Stoppers at 1-800-780-8477 or you can submit a tip online.

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