A Hialeah woman is facing felony animal cruelty charges after police say surveillance cameras captured her repeatedly striking a small dog she had been fostering at a South Florida apartment complex.
According to Hialeah police, 42-year-old Miriam Yilian Delarosa was arrested following an investigation into multiple incidents involving the same dog at the Metro Parc Apartments, located at 952 E. 26th Street in Hialeah.
The investigation reportedly started after a tenant discovered feces on a wall near an elevator inside the apartment building. A front-desk employee reviewed surveillance footage in an attempt to figure out what happened and allegedly spotted Delarosa in the video.
Investigators eventually reviewed footage from multiple incidents involving Delarosa and the dog.
Police say one of the incidents happened on September 16.
Surveillance footage allegedly showed Delarosa outside the apartment building with three dogs. According to investigators, one of the dogs slipped out of its collar and ran away.
Police say Delarosa chased after the animal and eventually caught it. Investigators allege that she handled the dog forcefully and at one point held the animal upside down by its legs.
The situation allegedly escalated after Delarosa brought the dog back inside the building.
According to the police report cited by WSVN, surveillance footage showed Delarosa holding the dog around its neck and collar area before allegedly striking the animal in the face approximately eight times.
But investigators say that wasn’t the only alleged incident involving the dog that night.
Later, another surveillance video allegedly captured Delarosa inside an elevator with the three dogs.
Police say the dog began urinating and defecating inside the elevator. Investigators allege Delarosa then grabbed the dog by one of its front legs and struck it in the face approximately 10 additional times.
NBC 6 also reported that police-released footage appeared to show Delarosa slapping one of the dogs in the head multiple times while inside the elevator.
That means investigators say the dog was struck numerous times during separate incidents captured by surveillance cameras.
The case reportedly became even more concerning for detectives after they learned more about the animal’s history.
Police said Delarosa told investigators she had been fostering the dog for approximately two months. Detectives also learned that the dog had previously been abused before coming into her care.
Miami-Dade Animal Services responded to the apartment complex and took custody of all three dogs. Officials said the animals were removed for their safety and would undergo medical evaluation.
Delarosa was subsequently arrested and booked on three counts of felony animal cruelty with intent to injure or kill, according to the arrest report.
She appeared before a judge, who found probable cause in the case. Her bond was set at $7,500, while NBC 6 reported that she was granted pretrial services with an alternate bond of that amount.
The case comes as Florida has also recently expanded certain animal-cruelty penalties.
A new Florida animal-welfare law took effect October 1, creating additional third-degree felony offenses involving aggravated animal cruelty under certain circumstances, including cases involving a minor being induced to participate or cruelty being committed in front of a minor.
However, the new law should not be confused with a conviction in Delarosa’s case. She is currently facing criminal charges, and the allegations against her have not been proven in court.
For now, the three dogs have been removed from the situation and placed in the custody of Miami-Dade Animal Services while authorities continue handling the case.
The surveillance footage is expected to remain a key part of the prosecution’s evidence as the case moves forward.
The Hialeah Police Department said it remains committed to investigating animal-cruelty reports and holding people accountable when evidence supports criminal charges.
VIDEO CREDIT: WPLG Local 10
Leave a Reply