Florida man caught on camera taking off his shoes, stomping on his pit bull puppy

A good Samaritan saved the pit bull puppy by recording a video of the owner's abuse

Florida man arrested after video surfaces of him abusing pit bull puppy

Sheriff Carmine Marceno announced the arrest of Beckham McLeod, who is facing an aggravated animal cruelty charge, after a video surfaced of him kicking his pit bull puppy, King. (Lee County Sheriff's Office)

A Florida man was arrested after he was caught on camera "violently beating" his pit bull puppy outside an apartment complex.

In a press release, the Lee County Sheriff's Office said authorities were called to the Coast Village Apartments in Estero, Florida, on Tuesday evening around 5 p.m. to investigate an animal abuse case.

The caller told authorities that he captured a man, later identified as 20-year-old Beckham McLeod, violently beating his 9-month-old puppy, King.

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florida man caught on camera taking off his shoes stomping on his pit bull puppy

King, a 9-month-old pit bull puppy, was saved after a good Samaritan captured his owner abusing him. (Lee County Sheriff's Office)

While calling police, the good Samaritan began recording the abusive owner.

In the video, McLeod is seen dragging King, stomping on his neck repeatedly and then kicking the defenseless dog in the face.

"While the recording may have stopped, I fear what King went through before and after," Sheriff Carmine Marceno said.

Beckham McLeod

Beckham McLeod was arrested on a charge of aggravated animal cruelty.  (Lee County Sheriff's Office)

After being questioned by detectives, McLeod agreed to surrender the puppy to Lee County Domestic Animal Services voluntarily. 

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McLeod was arrested on a charge of aggravated animal cruelty. 

"As for McLeod, I had a red jumpsuit, orange slides and a cell ready for him at the Marceno Motel," Sheriff Marceno said. 

Sheriff Carmine Marceno

Sheriff Carmine Marceno announced the arrest of Beckham McLeod, who is now facing an aggravated animal cruelty charge. (Lee County Sheriff's Office)

The sheriff called the good Samaritan a "hero" for making the call to police and helping King get out of an abusive home.

"See it, say it, make the call," Marceno said. "It works. This caller is a hero. They made the call that got King out of an abusive home."

"If you abuse an animal in Lee County, you will go to jail… every time," he added.

Sarah Rumpf-Whitten is a breaking news writer for Fox News Digital and Fox Business. 

She is a native of Massachusetts and is based in Orlando, Florida.

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Authored by Sarah Rumpf-Whitten via FoxNews April 10th 2024