BROOKSVILLE – Last week, Joseph Lee Lamontagne, age 57, was charged with Two Counts of Felony Animal Cruelty by the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office.
The Brooksville resident’s actions, which were recorded on video, reportedly involved the man “repeatedly punching, kicking and striking” two dogs with “what appeared to be metal objects,” stated a press release from the HCSO.
The local sheriff’s office was made aware of this on Tuesday, November 19, when they received the complaint of animal cruelty. Deputies N. Barrett and N. Bryant along with Animal Enforcement Officer M. Rowe (AEO) were then dispatched to and made contact with a witness in eastern Brooksville.
The witness informed authorities that a black male and brindle female Cane Corso had been allegedly beaten by their owner, Lamontagne, on more than one occasion. It was then that the individual provided the 45-minute recording of Mr. Lamontagne abusing “Alger” and “Hailie” to deputies and the AEO.
The objects used to harm the canines resembled a metal pole and metal pan. Despite whimpering and attempting to evade being struck, the dogs would be dragged back and continued to be beaten. The male was even chained to a post to prevent his escape.
Authorities quickly made contact with the suspect at his home. The dogs were found in his backyard “with no provisions of food, water, or shelter,” the press release continued. Once the AEO took custody of the canines, the dogs’ owner then signed documents surrendering the male pup, Alger.
Unfortunately, due to the harsh living conditions, Alger was noted as having a “severe limp” when putting pressure on his right front leg.
Credit: HCSO
With deputies already possessing video evidence of Lamontagne’s acts of cruelty towards the pair of pets, he was arrested at the scene and transported to the Hernando County Detention Center. He is being held on $5,000 bond.
When the man agreed to speak about the incidents, he admitted to the authorities that he hit the animals with a leash due to the dogs’ “previous actions,” but he denied the other multitude of other actions (kicking, hitting with a metal object) despite video evidence suggesting otherwise.
The HCSO is currently consulting with the County Attorney’s Office on his fitness, which could determine if Lamontagne will be able to own animals in the future. Hernando Sheriff Al Nienhuis noted that there is no room for such actions against our loving, furry friends.
“Felony animal cruelty is not just a crime against an individual animal,” stated Sheriff Nienhuis. “It is a crime against our community’s values. The severity of these offenses cannot be overstated. Inflicting pain and suffering on innocent creatures is a clear indication of a deep disregard for life itself. As sheriff, I am committed to holding perpetrators accountable to the fullest extent of the law, because such cruelty has no place in a just society. We must take a firm stand against those who harm animals, ensuring that the punishment fits the gravity of their actions.”
