A small dog stolen during a Tallahassee burglary was found doused in bleach and hidden in the backseat of a stolen vehicle, in what investigators believe was an attempt to destroy potential evidence. Tampa police K-9 Officer Edwards discovered the animal during a stolen vehicle investigation and immediately worked to rinse the corrosive chemical from its fur.
A post from the City of Tallahassee Police Department said the dog had been stolen during a separate burglary before ending up doused in bleach inside the stolen car. Tampa police K-9 Officer Edwards used his own water supply to rinse the bleach off the dog, then wrapped the animal in a blanket and monitored it until animal control arrived to take custody, as reported by WTWC Fox 49.
Bleach contains sodium hypochlorite, a corrosive chemical that can cause severe skin irritation, chemical burns, tissue lesions, and respiratory distress in companion animals on direct contact, according to PetMD and ASPCA guidelines. Prompt flushing with clean water is recommended as emergency first aid before a veterinary evaluation, which is exactly the step Officer Edwards took at the scene.
Where the Dog Is Now
The City of Tallahassee Animal Services Center is located at 1125 Easterwood Drive.
Potential Felony Charges Tied to the Bleach
Under Florida Statute § 828.12, intentionally causing an animal excessive or repetitive unnecessary pain or suffering constitutes aggravated animal cruelty, a third-degree felony punishable by up to five years in prison and up to $10,000 in fines, according to Goldman Wetzel. Florida strengthened its animal cruelty consequences under Dexter's Law in July 2025, creating a public registry for convicted offenders.
Separately, Florida Statute § 918.13 classifies altering, destroying, or concealing physical evidence to impair its availability in an investigation as its own third-degree felony, carrying up to five years in prison and a $5,000 fine, per The Wade Law Firm. That evidence tampering charge can apply regardless of whether the underlying offense is charged as a misdemeanor or a felony. Florida generally treats pet theft itself under general property theft statutes, meaning dognapping charges can range from misdemeanor petit theft to felony grand theft depending on the animal's monetary value, according to Salazar & Kelly Law Group, P.A. The incident described here involved a burglary and a stolen dog.
A Department With Deep Roots
Established in 1841, the Tallahassee Police Department is the third-oldest municipal police force in the United States, and it houses its specialized K-9 Unit within its Operational Support Bureau, according to OpenGov. The department is also nationally recognized as the third-longest accredited police department in the country.
The Tallahassee investigation involved a stolen vehicle alongside other property crimes.
Community Resources for Displaced Pets
The City of Tallahassee's Animal Services Center is identified as a municipal shelter.
