Pet groomer arrested after being captured on video kicking a dog

Friday, August 23, 2024-A Florida pet groomer has been arrested after a shocking video showing him violently kicking a small dog multiple times went viral, sparking widespread outrage. The Miami-Dade Police Department apprehended Richel Yumar-Gonzalez, charging him with one count of animal cruelty.

 The disturbing footage, captured by a doorbell camera, shows a small white dog named Coco trying to flee down a hallway before Yumar-Gonzalez delivers a forceful kick to the animal. As the dog attempts to escape, Yumar-Gonzalez continues to pursue it down the hall, eventually landing a brutal kick that causes the dog to yelp in pain. The video ends with the terrified dog following Yumar-Gonzalez back down the hallway.

The viral video led to Yumar-Gonzalez's immediate termination from his job as a mobile pet groomer and ultimately resulted in his arrest. According to police, Yumar-Gonzalez confessed to the cruel act, claiming that the dog had become aggressive and bitten him. He also reportedly told officers that he has been dealing with personal issues and couldn't explain why he reacted so violently.

 Despite the vicious attack, police reported that Coco did not suffer major injuries, though the dog was kicked once in the head and once in the body.