A 7-year-old dog in Brevard County is expected to make a full recovery after veterinarians discovered the animal had been shot in the head, a case that has now triggered an animal-cruelty investigation by local authorities. Officials have not released specifics about where the dog was found or exactly what happened, and investigators are still trying to piece together the circumstances.
According to FOX 35 Orlando, veterinarians uncovered the gunshot wound and reported that the dog is expected to heal. The outlet’s June 17 segment also notes that Brevard County officials opened the investigation after the injury was identified.
What the law says
Florida law allows prosecutors to charge anyone who intentionally causes an animal’s cruel death or who subjects an animal to excessive or repeated infliction of unnecessary pain or suffering with aggravated animal cruelty. State code classifies aggravated animal cruelty as a third-degree felony that can carry prison time and fines, per the Florida Statutes.
A pattern on the Space Coast
Animal-welfare enforcement has been especially visible on the Space Coast in recent weeks. Hoodline has followed other high-profile incidents, including a case where a man was arrested after a cat took a bb-gun shot to the eye and a Palm Bay trial that ended with a conviction in the scissor stabbing of family dog Doobie.
How to report
The Brevard County Sheriff’s Office Animal Services unit handles cruelty complaints, and anyone with information about this shooting can call the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office at 321-633-2024, according to the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office. Animal Services runs an enforcement unit and an animal-care center that coordinates veterinary treatment and investigative follow-up.
The initial report by FOX 35 Orlando said the dog is expected to recover, and Brevard investigators say the probe is ongoing. We will update this story if the sheriff’s office releases arrests or additional details.
