Witnesses in DeLand say a 61-year-old man turned a neighborhood bike ride into a scene of alleged animal abuse on Wednesday, dragging a small black puppy behind his bicycle, then kicking and striking the dog before police stepped in.
The confrontation unfolded near West New York Avenue and Stone Street, where bystanders confronted the man and called police after seeing the struggling puppy tethered to the moving bike.
According to a DeLand Police Department report and coverage by WESH, witnesses said the leash repeatedly tangled in the bike, and the puppy could not keep up. When the dog fell, one witness told officers the man kicked and hit it in the head and on its side. The report says he refused offers of food and water for the dog and kept dragging the animal until officers arrived.
Arrest and hospital care
Police identified the man as 61-year-old Richard Howley and arrested him on a charge of felony cruelty to animals. Records from the Volusia County Branch Jail show Howley remains in custody on $5,000 bond, WESH reports.
Officers noted the puppy yelped when its side was touched. The dog was transported to a local animal hospital for treatment, according to the arrest report.
What the law says
Florida law allows cruelty to animals to be charged as either a misdemeanor or a felony, depending on the circumstances. Aggravated cruelty, which includes the repeated or intentional infliction of unnecessary pain or suffering, is classified as a third-degree felony under state statute. Convictions can carry fines, prison time, and court orders barring the offender from owning or being around animals, according to the state code, the Florida Senate notes.
Local context
Volusia County has seen high-profile animal cruelty cases reshape local enforcement and penalties in recent years, including a 2017 puppy beating that led to what is commonly called "Ponce's Law." Law & Crime covered that case and its aftermath.
If you witness animal cruelty, authorities say to call 911 for an emergency or contact DeLand non-emergency dispatch at 386-943-8276. The Volusia Sheriff's Office also provides local reporting contacts and resources.
