Surveillance footage in Boynton Beach reportedly shows a man lift, invert and slam a black Labrador service dog named Rex on Sept. 9 and again the next morning. Police identified 52-year-old Juan Latrez Poole from the videos and a photo lineup and arrested him on Sept. 14 on a felony animal-cruelty charge. Rex was taken to Palm Beach County Animal Care & Control and is being screened for adoption. The charge remains an allegation, and Poole has denied the accusations.
Boynton Beach Man Arrested After Surveillance Shows Service Dog 'Rex' Lifted and Slammed Twice
Image Credit: Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office.
Surveillance footage recovered by Boynton Beach Police shows a man allegedly lifting, inverting and slamming a black Labrador wearing a red service-dog vest on two consecutive days near the 2300 block of South Federal Highway. Witnesses called police after seeing the incidents, and investigators later used video and a photo lineup to identify and arrest a suspect.
What Happened
The first call came on Sept. 9 from a witness near a bus stop outside a Taco Bell, who reported seeing a man lift the roughly 50-pound dog, later identified as Rex, above his head and slam him to the pavement. Officers who responded did not locate the man or the dog at that time.
The following morning, another caller reported a nearly identical incident just blocks away. That witness told police the man choked Rex with his leash, lifted and swung him through the air and struck him with a water bottle while the dog trembled and cowered.
Evidence, Identification and Arrest
An animal control officer canvassed the area and recovered surveillance footage from both days. Police say the first recording shows the man lifting Rex completely off the ground, inverting him midair and then slamming him onto the pavement. The second recording reportedly shows the man yanking the leash, striking Rex with a bottle and hoisting the dog several feet by the neck before dropping him.
Officers identified the suspect as 52-year-old Juan Latrez Poole and say a witness later selected him from a photo lineup. Poole was arrested on Sept. 14 and booked on one felony count of animal cruelty. That charge is an allegation; Poole has not been convicted.
'I've never hit my dog, and that is completely untrue,' Poole reportedly told officers while handcuffed in the back of a patrol vehicle, asking police to show him the video evidence.
Rex's Status
After the arrest, Rex was transported to Palm Beach County Animal Care & Control for evaluation and care. Boynton Beach Police said the dog is currently being screened for placement and the department is seeking a permanent 'forever home' for Rex.
Note: Reporting from Cox Media is cited regarding released body-camera footage in which the suspect denies the allegations. Police ask anyone with additional information to contact the Boynton Beach Police Department.
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