Owner jailed after puppy dangled, kicked

An arrest report shows Chucho, a 6-month-old black Labrador, was dangled and "brutally kicked" by his owner early Friday. Currently in the care of Hillsborough County Animal Services, Chucho's injuries are not severe. [Courtesy Hillsborough County Animal Services]

BRANDON -- For about four minutes, the black puppy's paws touched the ground only once while his owner dangled him by a leash and kicked the 6-month-old pooch several times in what deputies describe as a "brutal" act of animal cruelty, according to an arrest report.

Pedro L. Rodriguez, 3808 Treadway Dr. in Valrico, left, was walking along Parsons Road just before 1 a.m. when a patrolling Hillsborough Sheriff's deputy spotted the 24-year-old holding Chucho, a mixed Labrador, off the ground and "brutally kicking" him several times.

Confronted by the deputy, Rodriguez told her "it was his dog and he could do whatever he wanted and he did it because the dog ran away," according the report.

Rodriguez was arrested on felony animal cruelty charge. He was also charged for violation of probation stemming from a previous drug charge. Bail has not been set.

Chucho, meanwhile, was treated overnight at a veterinary clinic for his injuries. Despite the attack, Hillsborough County Animal Services spokeswoman Marti Ryan said the injuries were "not severe."

"He's recovering nicely from the inexplicable abuse from his owner," she said. "He is young and very happy."

Ryan said Animal Services hopes Rodriguez will hand over permanent custody of Chucho to the department.

-- Casey Cora, Times staff writer

Booking photo of Rodriguez courtesy of Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office