SANFORD, FL — A Sanford HVAC technician has been arrested after a home camera built into a dog-treat dispenser recorded him kicking a homeowner’s dog, police said.
The Sanford Police Department said the motion-activated Furbo device captured the attack last week and showed the small dog losing consciousness for a significant period afterward. The 43-year-old technician now faces an aggravated animal cruelty charge.
The Video
Police said the dispenser turned on when the dog moved, then recorded the technician kicking the animal inside the home. The footage was enough for officers to open an investigation after the dog’s owner reported what happened.
Police Chief Cecil Smith said the video was hard to watch and showed “the callousness of this individual.” He said a worker trusted to enter a home for a service call should not abuse that access.
The Owner
The dog’s owner, Ryan Menzies, told WKMG the incident happened while he and his girlfriend were at work. He said her phone alert from the dispenser app showed the dog, Boomer, appearing to have a seizure.
Menzies said she went back through the footage and realized the dog had been kicked. She called him immediately and left work after seeing what happened.
The Injury
Menzies said a veterinarian did not find broken bones. Even so, the vet told him there could be internal bruising.
The footage and the later medical check became the basis for the police complaint. Boomer survived the incident, but the owner said the video showed enough force to leave the pet unconscious.
The Company
ELDante HVAC Services, the technician’s employer at the time, apologized to the family in a written statement and said the worker had been fired after managers reviewed the evidence.
The company said the technician’s behavior was unacceptable and inconsistent with its standards. It also said criminal charges were being pursued and that it was cooperating with authorities.
What Happens Next
Police have not said whether the technician has entered a plea or when he is scheduled to appear in court. The case now centers on the recorded footage, the owner’s complaint and the aggravated animal cruelty charge.
For Sanford officers, the arrest turned on a piece of home security hardware that was not designed to catch a crime, but did exactly that.
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