A Princeton man is accused of turning an argument over a dog into a prolonged attack that left his girlfriend with bruises on her neck and arms. Deputies say Kevin Monasterio, 24, also punched the dog, threw its crate outside and sprayed water into its face in an alleged attempt to simulate drowning.
The case involves a July 11 incident at the couple’s home in southwest Miami-Dade, where Monasterio and the victim had been dating for about a year and living together, according to Local 10 News. Jail records show Monasterio was arrested Tuesday and was being held Wednesday morning at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center on a $1,750 bond.
The arrest report says the argument began around midnight over the victim’s dog. Monasterio allegedly punched the dog in the face, picked it up and threw it against a wall before the victim placed the animal in a crate.
Investigators say Monasterio then attacked the woman, repeatedly punching her and placing both hands around her neck, restricting her breathing. The report says he pushed her to the ground, straddled her and continued choking her while slamming her body against the floor.
The alleged violence continued after the dog was crated, deputies said. Monasterio allegedly flipped the crate over, tossed it outside with the dog still inside and used a garden hose to spray the animal in the face, with investigators describing the act as an attempt to simulate drowning.
A second altercation reportedly began around 7 a.m., when Monasterio allegedly resumed hitting the dog and punching the victim before grabbing her neck again. After he left to get coffee, the woman went to a family member’s home and called 911; deputies said she had bruising on both sides of her neck and on both upper arms, and that Monasterio later denied the allegations after being read his Miranda rights.
Charges Include Strangulation And Animal Cruelty
According to Local 10 News, Monasterio is facing one count each of domestic battery by strangulation, battery, cruelty to animals and assault. The charges are allegations, and a criminal accusation is not a finding of guilt.
Florida’s domestic-battery-by-strangulation law covers intentionally impeding the breathing or blood circulation of a dating partner by applying pressure to the neck or throat, according to the Florida Legislature. The state’s animal-cruelty statute separately prohibits cruel or inhumane treatment of animals, with more serious penalties available when conduct causes excessive or repeated pain or suffering.
