South Beach Good Samaritans Step In To Save Dog

MIAMI BEACH, FL — Some onlookers "began to scream in horror" and at least two good Samaritans in tourist-favorite South Beach stepped in to save a black Lab that was being choked with a leash, punched and slammed with the tailgate of a pickup truck, according to Miami Beach police.

"Upon arrival in the area, I observed a large crowd of people surrounding a male defendant who was being detained on the street by two other males," Miami Beach police Officer Victor Palacios said in court documents.

Based on witness accounts and cell phone video, police arrested 51-year-old Louis Sepulveda of central Florida and charged him with animal cruelty with intent to injure, kill.

The incident happened around 1:45 p.m. Sunday in the 1300 block of iconic Ocean Drive, an area that is typically packed with visitors on the weekend before Christmas.

Miami-Dade Animal Services told WPLG-TV they were seeking to prevent the dog, whose name is Roy, from being returned to his owner. Officials said Roy will most likely be put up for adoption.

The dog was not seriously injured during the incident, according to Miami Beach police.

"The defendant was heard screaming that the dog attacked him and he was going to kill the dog, because he had it coming to him," court documents stated.