Puppy’s Broken Leg Leads To Man’s Arrest

SARASOTA, FL — A 6-month-old black-and-white female pit bull is on the mend at an emergency veterinary clinic after a Saturday incident left her with a broken rear leg. The man accused of injuring the pup now faces aggravated animal cruelty charges.

According to the Sarasota Police Department, officers were called to the 1150 block of 32nd Street around 7:45 a.m. May 13. When they arrived, they found a large group of people standing in the front yard yelling at Toddrick Leverett, 36.

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Witnesses told officers Leverett came home around 7:30 a.m. and began kicking the puppy, which was chained to a tree. He is then accused of grabbing the puppy by the neck and dragging it through the dirt, an email from the agency said. Witnesses also told officers the puppy “was desperately trying to get away.”

While Leverett told police “the dog tried to attack him and he defended himself by kicking the animal,” officers on the scene noted the pup was frightened, but friendly towards them, the email said.

Leverett was charged with aggravated animal cruelty and booked into the Sarasota County Jail following the Saturday incident. His arrest was announced Tuesday.

As for the puppy, Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office Animal Services came out and took custody of her. Police say she remains under veterinary care.

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Booking photo courtesy of the Sarasota Police Department