“We must raise our voices”: Citizens’ meeting after animal cruelty in Jupiter Park

JUPITER, Fla. — The Jupiter Police Department (JPD) is investigating a possible incident of animal cruelty that occurred at a park over Memorial Day weekend.

One witness said he was so shocked by what he saw that he could not sleep.

“It’s been very emotional ever since,” Travis told CBS12 News on Tuesday evening, declining to give his last name.

It was the Sunday of Memorial Day weekend when the witness returned from a boating trip with friends. He said he encountered a man brutally beating his dog near the boat ramp at Burt Reynolds Park.

“He held him under water with both hands. He tried to drown him for over 30 seconds at a time. He lifted the dog out of the water and threw him back in the water,” Travis said. “He punched the dog, all over the body and head.”

Travis tried to stop the dog owner.

“I yelled at the guy from the dock because he was on this abandoned boat. ‘Where’s your dog? I want to see your dog,’ Travis recalls. “He started yelling at me, saying, ‘He’s going to kill me, he’s going to hurt me.’ He was going to come after me.”

According to Travis, Jupiter police arrived, but nothing was done to ensure the animal’s safety.

Travis decided to take action and shared his observations on the Nextdoor app to inform community members. Hundreds of comments poured in. Some also witnessed the incident. Some even shared photos of the dog owner in question.

“Suddenly the public became active. They inundated the police with calls,” said Travis.

At this point, Pat Deshong, a well-known local animal rights activist, got involved.

“Nothing was really happening, so I picked up the phone and personally called the Jupiter Police Department and asked, ‘Are you going to do something about this animal cruelty?'” Pat Deshong said.

Police eventually opened a case. Travis said he met with a detective.

“Thank God, because from what I understand, he was arrested,” DeShong told CBS12 News.

It seems that the municipality’s attempt to hold the dog owner accountable was successful.

“I don’t know his last name, but Phil has now been arrested for animal cruelty,” Travis added.

CBS12 News is still waiting for confirmation of the arrest from Jupiter Police.

Meanwhile, the Palm Beach County Animal Care and Protection Department has confirmed that the alleged suspect’s dog is in their possession and is now safe.

“This should be an example of what a community can accomplish when it comes together to save a life,” DeShong said. “We need to be a voice for this animal and that’s exactly what Travis did.”