The puppy seen being abused by a suspect who was arrested in Tampa has died from the injuries it suffered after being violently thrown onto the asphalt, authorities in Hillsborough County confirmed.
The puppy, described as a stray Maltese, was taken to the Hillsborough County Pet Resource Center, where it died Tuesday.
“Despite the tireless efforts of our dedicated veterinary staff, the Pet Resource Center regrets to report that the abused dog placed in our care died during surgery on Tuesday,” a county spokesperson said in a statement Wednesday.
A Hillsborough County woman in Florida, identified as Imania Davis, 33, was arrested April 30 and now faces six counts of aggravated animal cruelty. Video released by authorities shows her abusing a dog in Tampa.
According to the arrest report, Davis was recorded by one of the “Eye on Crime” program’s cameras holding a small white puppy by the scruff of its neck and forcefully throwing it onto an asphalt roadway.
Authorities said that when the dog returned to her with its tail tucked between its legs, the woman kicked it.
The report also states that the video shows the suspect striking the puppy on the head before throwing it again, causing the animal to land several feet away, in some bushes.
A deputy who responded to the scene found the dog trembling on the pavement, not attempting to move. The puppy was rushed to a veterinarian, where it was confirmed it had suffered a fracture in one of its front legs and a nosebleed.
Sheriff Chad Chronister strongly condemned the incident during a news conference, calling it an act of extreme cruelty.
According to HCSO, an employee monitoring the cameras spotted the incident in real time, allowing authorities to intervene.
The sheriff also said it was troubling that, even though it happened in a busy area, no one called the police.
This story was translated from Spanish with the help of a generative artificial intelligence tool. An NBC 6 editor reviewed the translation.