Florida Man Arrested After Allegedly Throwing 16-Year-Old Dog in Dumpster

Authorities arrested a Florida man accused of tying a rope around the neck of a 16-year-old dog, stuffing her into a garbage bag, and throwing her in a dumpster behind a Family Dollar.

Anthony Bellman, 55, has been charged with aggravated animal cruelty in connection with the incident involving Xyla, a Shih Tzu, according to the Lee County Sheriff’s Office.

He must also register as an animal abuser.

Bellman bailed out of jail shortly after his arrest Thursday, jail records confirm.

He has a Jan. 16 scheduled court appearance.

Family Dollar employees were first alerted to Xyla when they spotted a trash bag in the dumpster with something moving inside, a news release stated.

Upon tearing open the garbage, the employees allegedly discovered Xyla with a rope around her neck, and rushed her to a local veterinarian.

The LCSO Animal Cruelty Task Force responded and obtained surveillance footage of Bellman allegedly pulling up to the dumpster, removing a bag of trash from his vehicle, and tossing it into the garbage.

Microchip technology led investigators to a home with the same vehicle that allegedly appeared on camera. The homeowner, Bellman, allegedly answered the door wearing the same clothing seen in the footage, and he was taken into custody, per the release.

"We are ONE team that comes together to be a voice for the innocent, such as Xyla. We will never stop holding individuals accountable for these heinous actions here in this county," Sheriff Carmine Marceno said in a statement.

Authorities are looking to rehome Xyla, who continues to recover at Lee County Domestic Animal Services.