Florida Man Charged After Two Dogs Found Hanging

A St. Lucie County man, Salomon Cruz-Perez, has been arrested on charges of aggravated animal cruelty after two dogs were found dead, hanging from a tree in his backyard. Authorities responded to a disturbance at his home and discovered the animals bound by their necks with coaxial cable, paracord, tie-down straps, and chains. Cruz-Perez had previously sought to have the dogs euthanized but was advised by Animal Control to visit a veterinarian instead. During questioning, he claimed the dogs had tied themselves up, a statement that authorities found implausible. Sheriff Richard Del Toro condemned the act as cruel and sad, emphasizing the importance of humane treatment of animals. Cruz-Perez is being held on a $60,000 bond while the case is under investigation and the dogs are to undergo a necropsy to determine the cause of death.