Police: Florida man arrested for slamming dog into concrete over bathroom incident

Florida man allegedly slamming dog into ground

A Florida man has been arrested after allegedly slamming a small dog into the railing of a balcony and a concrete floor after it went to the bathroom on a rug, the Osceola County Sheriff's Office says. Warning: This video may contain content that viewers find disturbing.

OSCEOLA COUNTY, Fla. - Warning: This story may contain information some readers find disturbing. Reader discretion is advised.

The 1-year-old puppy named Lilly is remarkably OK and only suffered minor injuries, Sheriff Marcos Lopez said in a press conference Monday afternoon.

In the conference, Lopez discussed the arrest of Marco Zuluaga, 28, who is being charged with cruelty to animals.

Osceola County Sheriff Marcos Lopez hosted a press conference Dec. 30 to discuss the arrest of Marco Zuluaga. (Credit: Osceola County Sheriff's Office)

What we know

Deputies say they responded to 1001 Jamison Loop, in Kissimmee, in reference to an animal abuse complaint around 10:41 a.m. Dec. 26.

Management at The Jamison Loop Apartments provided deputies with a video of the abuse that took place around 8:30 a.m. the same day, officials say.

Officers say the video showed a white male with a beard, black baseball cap, green T-shirt, black shorts and glasses carrying an Australian Shepherd wearing a Christmas sweater.

Officers say the video showed Zuluaga carrying a small Australian Shepherd wearing a red, green and white Christmas sweater. (Credit: Osceola County Sheriff's Office)

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In the video, deputies say the man appears to be carrying the dog near his shoulder and walks out of the frame towards the balcony.

There then appears to be a noise consistent with something slamming against a hard surface, officials say.

Lopez says during this time, officers believe the man is slamming the dog against the railing and contemplating throwing it from the third floor.

Officers report the man comes back into the frame and appears to be swinging the dog in a pitcher motion from his chest to over his shoulder in a downward action, causing it to collide with the concrete.

Police say the force caused the dog to bounce off the concrete, yelp in agony and run away from the man out of the video frame.

Note: FOX 35 News is choosing not to show the video, as it is graphic in nature.

Marco Zuluaga was arrested for animal cruelty charges Dec. 26. (Credit: Osceola County Sheriff's Office)

Officers say they contacted the owner of the apartment, who said her cousin, Zuluaga, was there.

Deputies say Zuluaga matched the description of the man in the video based on his driver's license and a FaceTime call, where the dog was present in the backseat of the car.

What happens next

A warrant from the Osceola County Clerk of Court shows Zuluaga was arrested Dec. 26 for cruelty to animals. He has been booked into the Osceola County Jail.

"The amount of force he uses is just disgusting, disturbing and unacceptable, and it's a miracle he didn't kill that dog," Lopez said in the press conference. "It breaks our heart to see this. Animals have feelings, and they should never be treated like this. Nobody should be treated like this."

Lopez says Lilly was taken to the vet by animal control, and she had a dilated pupil in her left eye, which could indicate she had some type of trauma. Vets also said she had deep-tissue bruising on her underbelly. However, Lopez said Lilly is expected to make a full recovery.