PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. – A St. Petersburg man is facing charges after a dog he recently adopted from Pinellas County Animal Services was found dead in Fort De Soto Park. Domingo Rodriguez, 66, adopted Dexter, a four-year-old bulldog mix, from Pinellas County Animal Services on May 10th. Just four days later, the dog was discovered decapitated and placed in a plastic bag, floating in the mangroves at East Beach in Fort De Soto Park.
The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office launched an investigation after Pinellas County Animal Services identified Dexter through his microchip and confirmed Rodriguez as the adopter.
Detectives questioned Rodriguez, who admitted to adopting Dexter from Pinellas County Animal Services and being at Fort De Soto Park on May 11th. He claimed he was only at the park for a brief 20 to 25 minutes and that Dexter must have escaped overnight on the very day of adoption. However, authorities found numerous inconsistencies and contradictions in his account.
According to the arrest report, surveillance footage captured Rodriguez’s gray pickup truck at Fort De Soto on the morning of May 11th, notably with a large cooler in the truck bed. Further casting doubt on Rodriguez’s story, his wife stated that Dexter was alive and well when she went to bed on May 10th, but both her husband and the dog were gone when she awoke the following morning. Investigators also discovered bags at Rodriguez’s residence that were similar to the one in which Dexter’s body was found.
Evyn Moon from FOX 13 News reported on the qualifications typically used in animal adoptions, raising questions about the screening processes in place at animal shelters like Pinellas County Animal Services.
Rodriguez has been charged with felony animal cruelty and misdemeanor disposal of a dead animal. He was released on a $5,000 bond after being booked on Wednesday. The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office has stated that the investigation remains active.
Pinellas County Animal Services released an official statement expressing their distress and commitment to the investigation:
“Pinellas County Animal Services is shocked and deeply saddened to hear of Dexter’s death and is fully supporting the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office with its ongoing investigation. Our adoption screenings include a check for any prior or current enforcement issues, animal cruelty charges or compliance issues with other pets’ license and vaccinations. The screening for Dexter found no issues that would indicate danger to his welfare.”
This incident has sparked outrage in the community and highlights the critical role Pinellas County Animal Services plays in pet adoption and animal welfare within the region. The organization continues to work diligently to ensure the safety and well-being of animals in their care, while cooperating fully with law enforcement in this ongoing investigation.
