FL Shelter Dog Euthanized After Volunteer Dragged Him By Leash: Police

ORLANDO, FL — A former Orange County Animal Services volunteer is facing an animal cruelty charge after authorities said he dragged a 15-week-old puppy by his leash, prompting the facility to later euthanize the dog.

According to documents filed in Orange County, Joel Levine, 73, of Orlando, was arrested in April and charged with one count of animal cruelty. He was released Tuesday on a $1,500 bond and is awaiting a court date later this month.

According to an incident report by the Orange County Sheriff's Office, Levine was a volunteer at the shelter, located at 2769 Conroy Road, on Nov. 16, 2022, when the incident took place.

According to authorities, Levine placed a slip lead around the neck of a Roman, a 15-week-old pit bull puppy, to walk him from his kennel to the facility's play area. The authorities said the puppy pulled away and braced his feet, refusing to be walked on the leash, prompting Levine to pull harder and use greater force to counter the dog's resistance.

According to authorities, Levine then dragged the puppy outside the kennel and along the sidewalk toward the play yard. At one point, the puppy was unconscious, yet authorities said that Levine continued "dragging the puppy's limp body" on the leash.

"(Levine) made no attempt to let the puppy regain its feet or to relent the strangulation he caused by means of the slip lead that throttled the helpless puppy and caused such pain and anguish to this animal that it bit and chewed its tongue, lips and flews," a deputy wrote in their report.

Multiple people witnessed the incident, according to court documents.

The puppy was taken to the facility's veterinarian for treatment. The puppy had severe neck trauma and cuts on his tongue and gums, according to court documents. Authorities said he could not walk or stand and had abnormal breathing.

Once the puppy could no longer breathe on his own, facility staff decided to euthanize him, authorities said.

An Orange County Animal Services spokesperson declined to comment on the case but did provide a statement to Patch:

"A tragic incident transpired on November 16th, 2022, in which a volunteer potentially mishandled a pet, resulting in severe injury. Our veterinarians examined the shelter guest; but unfortunately, they were not able to save his life. We take these incidents seriously. So, in accordance with the law, it was immediately reported to law enforcement for their review. The Orange County Sheriff's Office investigated and ultimately decided to move forward with charges against the individual in question."

Levine is scheduled to appear in court on May 30.