A man arrested for allegedly stabbing his girlfriend’s dog to death will not be prosecuted.
Court documents show Mike Lado’s case was closed on August 21st, a little over a month after he was arrested on a felony charge of causing cruel death, pain and suffering to an animal.
A spokesperson for the State Attorney office said the dog’s owner changed her statement and later claimed her dog bit Lado prior to the incident. She also declined to sign paperwork to assist with prosecuting him.
Lado was accused of stabbing his girlfriend’s dog to death on July 19th following an argument. An arrest report states Lado allegedly told his girlfriend Blue would always take her side when they were arguing because the dog was growling at him.
According to his arrest report, Lado’s girlfriend told detectives he stabbed Blue twice with a butcher knife.
In a text message to Four In Your Corner Reporter Deborah Souverain, blue’s owner said “Blue was an amazing and loyal dog. He was my best friend and will be forever missed.”
Veterinarian Dr. Megan Davis says suspects in cases of animal cruelty often go without punishment.
“Florida cruelty laws are just not to the standard they should be for animals, so what constitutes cruelty often must be very severe for there to be any kind of charge,” said Dr. Davis, Viscaya-Prado Veterinary Hospital.
