A 62-year-old man was arrested following accusations of abuse of a puppy that veterinarians determined had been exposed to cocaine, according to the Martin County Sheriff’s Office on May 7.
John Burt Sparhawk, of Jensen Beach, was arrested May 6 on an animal cruelty charge in connection with the incidents that occurred several days earlier, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
Investigators went to an address that wasn’t immediately specified after “witnesses reported hearing the cries of the puppy and observing … Sparhawk allegedly holding the dog above his head and strangling it,” the Sheriff’s Office stated on social media.
The 5-month-old puppy was described as a puggle, or mix of a beagle and a pug.
“Sparhawk claimed the puppy was suffering from a seizure before walking away from the animal and telling neighbors to take it to the hospital,” the agency stated.
A deputy took the puppy to an emergency veterinary hospital where veterinarians determined the young pooch “was suffering from cocaine exposure, which triggered the medical episode.”
Another witness said Sparhawk wrapped the puppy’s leash around its throat and lifted it off the ground.
Sparhawk told deputies the puppy possibly ate “something bad in the woods, causing its seizures.” Veterinarians confirmed the animal’s condition was consistent with cocaine exposure.
The puppy is with the Humane Society of the Treasure Coast.
Sparhawk was released from the Martin County Jail May 6 on $10,000 bond, a jail official said.
(This story was updated with a photo.)
Will Greenlee is a breaking news reporter for TCPalm. Follow Will on X @OffTheBeatTweet or reach him by phone at 772-267-7926. E-mail him at will.greenlee@tcpalm.com.
This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Florida man arrested after puppy reportedly exposed to cocaine
Reporting by Will Greenlee, Treasure Coast Newspapers / Treasure Coast Newspapers
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