A TikTok video showing a malnourished French bulldog has resulted in animal cruelty charges against a Brickell man and prompted the rescue of the dog. Rosalicia Bernal filmed the video, which has garnered over 1 million views, depicting the animal in distress on a balcony at the ParkLine Condos.
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In the video, Bernal expressed her distress, stating, "I need help. The dog is not safe," and described her feelings of being "terrible, bad, broken-hearted, confused." Her video inspired Caterina Balzano to join her advocacy efforts, leading them to contact the police.
The City of Miami Police responded, resulting in the dog's owner, 27-year-old Kevin Benjamin, being arrested for animal cruelty. An arrest report indicated that the dog exhibited visible signs of malnourishment, with its ribs and spine apparent due to a lack of proper care, and there was no accessible food or water.
City of Miami Police Chief Edwin Lopez commented on the case, emphasizing the importance of safety for both people and animals. He noted the collaborative effort in the community to address the situation as significant.
At a press conference on Monday, city officials recognized Bernal and Balzano's efforts in saving the dog. Balzano remarked, "If the community collectively — the Miami community — moved the way they did on Friday, we would all have a city that's much closer to what we all dream of seeing in Miami."
Currently receiving medical treatment, the dog is set to be adopted by Bernal, who exclaimed, "Adoption — approved! It's my baby!" She plans to rename the dog and pick it up from the veterinarian on October 10.
CBS News Miami has attempted to contact Benjamin for comments but has not received a response.