A Miami-Dade pet groomer has been arrested following an incident of animal cruelty captured and disseminated through a viral video. Richel Yumar-Gonzalez, 33, is facing a charge of cruelty to animals after he was recorded on a residential doorbell camera, kicking a small white dog in the head and neck. The abuse transpired around August 12 at a Miami Gardens location and escalated to public awareness when the footage gained traction online. NBC Miami reported that the dog's owner was initially unaware of the incident until being alerted by authorities.
Upon being notified about his employee's actions, the owner of Deluxe Mobile Pet Grooming terminated Yumar-Gonzalez's employment and pledged to cooperate with the investigation. The arrest came after the suspect turned himself in to the Miami-Dade Police, offering a full confession. According to Local 10 News, Yosuan Rodriguez, owner of the grooming service, promptly dismissed the employee as soon as he became aware of what happened.
The company's statement on Instagram underscored its stance against animal cruelty and emphasized measures being taken with authorities to address the situation. Meanwhile, the Miami-Dade Police confirmed the suspect's confession and proceeding charge. The dog at the center of this unsettling episode was examined by a veterinarian and confirmed to have sustained no significant physical harm from the abuse.
Yumar-Gonzalez, the individual accused, now faces the legal consequences for his actions, with his bond set at $500. NBC Miami provided details on the bond and the well-being of the involved pet following the incident.
