Man sentenced for beating dog in car at a south Fort Myers RaceTrac

The man caught on video beating a dog in the back of a car at a south Fort Myers RaceTrac last year has been sentenced on animal cruelty charges.

The Lee County Sheriff’s Office says Marcus Chiddister, 23, was sentenced to three years in prison and two years of probation. He must also complete an anger management program and a psychiatric evaluation and may never possess or own a dog again.

On March 29, 2022, Chiddister was captured on video reaching into the back seat of a car and punching a 2-year-old pit bull named Sheeba.

Deputies found Chiddister when they were investigating the video, and he drove up to the same gas station and in the same car as the video.

Investigators went to Chiddister’s home to retrieve Sheeba so she could be examined. Lee County Domestic Animal Services determined that the dog had sustained “non-accidental” injuries and took possession of Sheeba.

In May 2022, the Lee County Sheriff’s Office won possession of Sheeba.

In a Facebook post about Chiddister’s sentencing, Sheriff Carmine Marceno said, “I will ALWAYS protect those who cannot protect themselves. Punching an animal over and over again with a closed fist is disgusting. My detectives and legal team worked TIRELESSLY alongside our partners at the State Attorney’s Office. I am proud to say their hard work led to the sentencing for this criminal’s abusive actions.”