MIAMI BEACH, Fla. – A 37-year-old man appeared in court on Monday after police officers accused him of dragging a dog’s head below water several times while pulling him deeper into the ocean in Miami Beach.
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Lifeguards and police officers intervened after several beachgoers followed Yerko Mendoza while yelling for him to release the white pit bull in South Beach, police said.
Police officers arrested Mendoza, also known as Yerko Ivan Mendozapatino, shortly before 3:30 p.m., on Friday, along the beach near Third Street and Ocean Drive.
According to the arrest report, police officers identified Mendoza as a man who had “committed acts of animal cruelty against the same dog” on Thursday in Miami Beach.
Court records show prosecutors filed a case against Mendoza on Saturday. He is facing charges of animal cruelty, providing a false name after arrest, resisting arrest, and disorderly conduct.
Mendoza pleaded not guilty on Monday. His bond was $5,500. His arraignment is at 9 a.m., on March 31. Police officers reported surrendering the dog to Miami-Dade Animal Services.