Lehigh Acres man, 31, arrested after months-old puppy found dead in cage
A 31-year-old Lehigh Acres man faces animal cruelty charges after authorities found a months-old dog in his possession dead in his backyard.
Lee County Sheriff Carmine Marceno announced Thursday the Tuesday arrest of Jonathan Alberto Benitez, of Lehigh Acres, charged with one count of animal cruelty causing serious injury or death.
"I'm disgusted by people who abuse those that are defenseless," Marceno said to start the conference.
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He said those include children, the elderly and animals.
Around 11 a.m. Tuesday, Marceno said, deputies went to the 800 block of Brian Avenue North, in Lehigh Acres, for an animal in distress.
A 7-month-old, 60-pound English Bulldog mix, named Oreo, was caged outside in the sun without food or water, Marceno explained.
"This cage was too small for Oreo, only 4 inches wider and longer than the dog," Marceno said. "The tiny cage prevented Oreo from moving, from turning around or laying down."
A resident in a wheelchair saw Oreo in distress and called for help, he said.
Marceno said Oreo was left in the cage for six hours.
"His cries for help were unanswered and Oreo tried to chew his way out of a metal cage," Marceno said. "Oreo was found dead with his teeth still biting the cage, trying to chew out."
The area around Oreo later recorded 127 degrees Fahrenheit using an infrared thermometer, Marceno said.
"He fought until his last breath," Marceno said.
Marceno said Oreo's internal temperature was "too high to read" on a thermometer. The thermometer reads up to 109.4 degrees.
Benitez arrived on scene and told deputies he put Oreo in the backyard cage because he didn't want the dog to "tear things up."
Marceno said the case remains active.
Jail records indicate Benitez faced a $7,500 bond. He posted bond Wednesday.
He's next due in court May 1 for his arraignment.
Tomas Rodriguez is a Breaking/Live News Reporter for the Naples Daily News and The News-Press. You can reach Tomas at TRodriguez@gannett.com or 772-333-5501. Connect with him on Twitter @TomasFRoBeltran, Instagram @tomasfrobeltran and Facebook @tomasrodrigueznews.
This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Lehigh Acres man left puppy to die in 127-degree cage, sheriff says
