Bradenton man accused of beating puppy in animal cruelty case, police say
A 30-year-old Bradenton man is facing an animal cruelty charge after police say he was caught on video repeatedly beating a 9-week-old puppy.
Bradenton police arrested Christian Cuello after employees at a downtown business reported their concerns about the dog’s welfare to an officer on patrol, the agency said in a news release. Witnesses told officers that Cuello grabbed the puppy by the neck and hit it in the face before leaving the business, according to police.
Employees reviewed security cameras and provided police with multiple videos showing the abuse, according to the department. Police said an officer recognized the puppy and found its owner, who told them she had left the dog in Cuello’s care.
The puppy was taken to a veterinary hospital for an examination, police said. It was later returned to its owner and is expected to be OK.
Court records show Cuello was on probation after pleading no contest earlier this year to aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and battery in a case tied to a June 2024 incident at a downtown Bradenton bar.
An arrest report said Cuello came up from behind and struck a customer multiple times, then pulled out a knife when the bartender told him to leave. He was sentenced to probation, community service and anger management classes in that case.
Jail records show Cuello remains in custody without bond at the Manatee County jail on the animal cruelty charge. The offense is a first-degree misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in jail and a $5,000 fine if convicted.
Police are asking any customers who witnessed the abuse to contact Officer Anthony Cerniglia at Anthony.Cerniglia@BradentonPD.com.
