A man in a dog costume who was trying to attract attention for the puppy store where he works was arrested after allegedly putting a juvenile in a chokehold outside the shop.
Sunshine Puppies, which has three locations in Florida, is a business that helps people “find a furever friend.” Last weekend at the Clearwater store, one of the employees found himself in the doghouse after an alleged altercation. According to reports, the man was posted outside the business while wearing a puppy costume to capture the interest of passersby. Although he had reportedly had problems with them in the past, the man spotted a group of familiar juveniles riding their bicycles together. He allegedly motioned for them to stop, and they rode over to him.
The Sunshine Puppies manager noticed the encounter, and they joined the employee in speaking to the juveniles. One of the kids, who was still sitting on their bike, decided to leave. When he rolled forward in a purported attempt to ride away, the manager thought he was going to roll into him, so he grabbed the handlebars. The man in the puppy costume allegedly got involved by positioning himself behind the juvenile and wrapping an arm around the boy’s throat. According to the police report, the juvenile said he could not breathe when he was in the chokehold.
Clearwater Police officers went to the address, and when they identified the man in the costume, they learned he was a registered sex offender. The man was taken into custody and booked into the Pinellas County Jail. He is facing a felony charge of battery by strangulation. He was released the following evening after posting a $10,000 surety bond.
If you or someone you love is suspected of an assault or battery offense, contact Orange County criminal defense lawyer Staycie R. Sena at (949) 477-8088 for a consultation now.