Martin County, Florida – On Thursday, the Martin County Sheriff’s Office announced the arrest of 62-year-old John Burt Sparhawk for allegedly strangling his five-month-old puppy and exposing the pup to cocaine. In a release, the authorities said:
Martin County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded after witnesses reported hearing the cries of the puppy and observing 62-year-old John Burt Sparhawk allegedly holding the dog above his head and strangling it.
Sparhawk claimed the puppy was suffering from a seizure before walking away from the animal and telling neighbors to take it to the hospital. One of our deputies immediately transported the puppy to an emergency veterinary hospital to address its seizures, where veterinarians later determined the dog was suffering from cocaine exposure, which triggered the medical episode.
Another witness provided more damning information about the animal cruelty, telling the police they saw Sparhawk wrap a leash around the puppy’s throat and “repeatedly lift” the puppy off the ground with the leash. The witness saw the puppy choking and trying to bark and then crying when it was released to the ground.
Sparhawk claimed the puppy ate something “bad in the woods,” but veterinarians confirmed the puppy’s condition was consistent with cocaine exposure.
The puppy was taken to the Humane Society of the Treasure Coast for care.
Support National Animal News — shop official merchandise to help fund
independent investigations and reporting.
