A dog in poor condition, found on a balcony in a downtown Miami high-rise, was rescued early Saturday after videos of the animal gained attention on social media. Residents and volunteers had searched for hours to identify the apartment housing the dog, which had been observed languishing on the balcony of ParkLine Miami for several days. Concern grew among neighbors due to the dog's emaciated appearance and waste left on the balcony.
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Miami-Dade County Animal Services removed the dog around 1 a.m. Saturday, following police identification of the apartment. A man identified as Kevin Alexander Benjamin was arrested on charges of animal cruelty with intent to injure or kill.
Catalina Balzano, who operates the animal welfare organization Bentley's Playhouse, initiated efforts to locate the dog after seeing the footage. "My first objective was to find out the unit number," she stated. Balzano described the urgency felt during the search, saying, "He just looked like he wasn't going to make it for much longer."
The community mobilized quickly, with many people arriving at the building, demonstrating a significant response to the situation. Balzano expressed gratitude for the collective effort, noting, "I'm at a loss for words of how the community came together last night."
The Miami-Dade Animal Services guidance instructs staff to investigate potential animal abuse reports, especially when a dog appears emaciated or is in need of care on a balcony without proper enclosure. Police were seen multiple times attempting to get a response from Benjamin’s apartment before the rescue operation commenced.
Balzano, who recorded the moment Animal Services personnel exited the building with the dog, described it as heartbreaking, noting, "That was truly heartbreaking because it was just skin and bone." Following the rescue, the dog is now in the care of Animal Services and receiving medical treatment. Balzano stated that nonprofit organizations are coordinating with the agency regarding rehabilitation costs.
Miami-Dade's protocols ensure that animal cruelty complaints receive urgent attention, particularly in cases where animals are in distress. Balzano emphasized the importance of sharing the videos, stating that it fosters community awareness and involvement.