A disturbing discovery has shaken Miami in recent hours: a dog was found dead, submerged in water and tied by its paws to concrete blocks.
The animal was found in a sunken sailboat in the main channel of the Marina Dinner Key, in the neighborhood of Coconut Grove.
The images and a video of the dog, shared on social media by the user Barbie Wynn, sparked a wave of outrage and initiated a police investigation.
The discovery that shocked Miami
Wynn posted the images on Tuesday in the Facebook group "Miami Beach Community" along with a call to identify the person responsible.
“I apologize in advance if these photos or video are disturbing. I believe it is important to share this information so that we can identify the owner and hopefully determine what happened and who might be responsible,” he wrote.
The video, lasting just eight seconds, shows a medium-sized dog floating underwater, chained by its legs to the blocks.
An additional photograph shows him out of the water, still chained and with clear signs of decomposition.
In the clip, the person who recorded the images can be heard exclaiming: “Oh my God, this is the worst thing I've ever seen in my life! He's tied to a brick.”
According to Wynn, the animal was found "in a sunken sailboat, in the main channel, just before reaching the docks," at the boat ramp located at 2900 South Bayshore Drive.
The police response and the transfer of the case
In less than two hours, the Miami Beach Police Department responded to the same Facebook post.
"The Miami Beach Police Department takes allegations of animal cruelty seriously," the agency stated, requesting that anyone who discovered the dog provide "the exact location, along with any additional information regarding the circumstances."
After verifying the facts, the Miami Beach police determined that the incident occurred in Coconut Grove, which is under the jurisdiction of the city of Miami, and transferred the case.
According to a report by El Nuevo Herald, officer Christopher Bess, spokesperson for the agency, confirmed that detectives and a specialized animal welfare officer worked to verify the authenticity of the complaint.
The Miami Police then took over the investigation.
"The detectives are actively investigating the incident and following leads to determine the circumstances of the case and identify the responsible party," stated the agency.
Municipal crews removed the animal's body from the water, although the concrete blocks and the rope remained at the site when the journalists arrived.
Open investigation and authorities' response
The commissioner of Miami, Damian Pardo, described the incident as "incredibly cruel and inhumane," and stated that he immediately contacted the police.
The investigators were able to contact a person who might be the dog's owner, but they could not confirm that relationship.
That person was arrested on charges unrelated to the animal's death.
Until this Wednesday, no charges or arrests directly related to the alleged abuse had been announced.
This case adds to a series of similar incidents in the metropolitan area.
In September, a man was arrested for aggravated animal cruelty after abandoning a puppy on the balcony of a luxury building in downtown Miami in deplorable conditions, in a case that also went viral on social media.
Legal framework and reward for information
Under Florida Statute 828.12, aggravated animal cruelty is a third-degree felony, with penalties of up to five years in prison and fines of up to 10,000 dollars.
A reform effective from October 1, 2026, intensified the penalties, establishing a mandatory minimum fine of 2,500 dollars and psychological counseling for the first conviction of aggravated cruelty with intentional torture.
Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers is offering a reward of up to $5,000 for anonymous information leading to an arrest in this case. Anyone with information can call the Miami Police at 305-579-6111 or Crime Stoppers at 305-471-8477.
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