Escambia County, FL – A Florida man has been arrested and is facing felony animal cruelty charges after being caught on video beating a dog. According to sources, Charles David Thornton II, 49, told Escambia County deputies that he was simply “disciplining” his dog, not beating him.
The incident took place in February, but Thornton was not arrested until March. Sheriff Simmons explains to WEAR TV:
“We were under the impression Animal Control was going to be working the investigation and that’s how it ended with our involvement. Fast forward a couple weeks, I see the video on social media, so I ask, ‘Hey what’s going on with this case?’ … Come to find out Animal Control wasn’t working it, so we picked it up. Obviously with the video, we identified him and charged him as quick as we could get the warrant signed for felony animal abuse.”
The video in question, captured on a neighbor’s surveillance cameras, shows Thornton beating the dog with a piece of wood, and the dog trying to get away. The dog’s current condition and location are unknown.
Anyone who knows where the dog is should call Animal Welfare at 850-595-0097.
Thornton is a career criminal with a lengthy history, including 14 arrests in Escambia County since 2009. Thornton was briefly employed at Jaco’s Bayfront Bar and Grill – they issued a statement after his arrest, notifying the public that he was terminated from his position there.
Thornton is due in court on April 17.
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16 Comments
This bastard is really too ugly to live. I sure would like to beat and re-style his face with my trusty ‘coke-hammer’ so he could understand what serious pain was all about. These addled – brained sods just cannot help themselves as their brains are naturally diseased.
I say ‘death’ to all of these arrogant nasty buggers the world over. Animal laws have got to get much tougher. But will they??
I am very sure that VIGILANTE and ANIMAL ACTIVIST groups could help out immensely by teaching these pieces of crap what they deserve. And-I am sure there must be some of these good animal avengers out there who feel just the same towards these scumbags as do I.!!!!!!!!!
J.W.
I 100% agree with you Jon. Too bad you & I are not given authority to deal with this piece of excrement ourselves. For you & I to be given this kind of authority by the Floridian courts to deal with Charles David Thornton II would be true justice. AN EYE FOR AN EYE! This man makes me sick.
Jon, absolutely agree with you!!
In this day an age it upto us to seek justice for those who cannot speak for themselves. I’ve had dogs and cats my whole life and have showen my 4 kids hw to care for them and treat them with calm compassion at all times.If I ever witnessed any form of animal abuse I wouldn’t take pictures or film it ide be to busy getting involved and kicking the shit out of said abuser.
He should be disciplined the same way.
Charles David Thornton II, was caught on video beating his dog. YOU HAVE THE PROOF! FACT: Thornton is a career criminal with a lengthy history, including 14 arrests in Escambia County since 2009. This man has control issues, to beat an animal to train it is abhorrent. Without ANY doubt Charles David Thornton II must face felony animal cruelty charges. WHY DOES THIS VILE MAN have a dog? No person who beats their animal, respects their animal. No person that beats their animal loves their animal. Only a coward beats a helpless dog. This piece of excrement must get a LIFETIME BAN on owning animals. This is a must because he has proved to be violent, he has proved to have control issues, actions show his superior mindedness arrogance with an ego driven mentality. JAIL HIM & KEEP HIM THERE! Charles David Thornton II is a danger to society & community. Where is this poor dog? This dog MUST be removed from Charles David Thornton II! This dog is in severe danger if it is still around him, his associates, friends or family. This dog MUST be removed completely from his circle of associates, this helpless dog must get a thorough veterinary check up & only then adopted out to a good, carling, loving home. I urge the justice system & especially the esteemed judge to give Charles David Thornton II A LIFETIME BAN on owning animals.
Jon White: if a groups is formed to deliver real justice to that psychopathic pond scum, plz DM me, bc I’m in!👿😡Monsters like this don’t deserve to BREATHE, imo! 🙏🏽🙏🏽🥰😭💔Praying this precious baby is ok, but I fear the reason he can’t be found is bc this pos killed him. I truly hope I’m wrong, & that he’s fine bc someone took him to a vet.
Need to get him and whip his ass.he is doing cos the pup can’t defend itself. He needs Bubba in there to handle his butt
Keep him away from animals. Need jail time.
Why the hell don’t you know where the dog is????? Unacceptable! Why was the dog not confiscated immediately??? He probably killed it. He should not be allowed around or to own another animal. POS.
Another one from Florida? This man is simply a monster masquerading as a human being. He doesn’t deserve to breathe the same air as the rest of us. I really wonder why the dog has not been seen. I have a sneaky suspicion as to why! I hope they find the dog, and I hope they truly punish this piece of filth!
I say double ditto to Jon White comment. Another piece of human excrement “allowed” to breath. This is not low mentality, it is NO mentality. No brain, no IQ. thanks John for speaking up.
Needs to remain arrested in jail pending until he confesses where the dog victim is, dead or alive & possibly suffering from his or her injuries if still alive.
The SOB sub culture needs 10 years in prison!
Please do something about these piss poor excuses for a human! 😡😡😡😡😡 Beat him senseless & he WILL stop!
Please do something about these piss poor excuses for a human! 😡😡😡😡😡 Beat him senseless & he WILL stop!
This low life garbage of shit pathetic loser of a ghetto get his ass slowly beaten till his friends and family can’t recognize his very ugly face. Or dies in a fiery car crash knowing he’s going to die slowly burning alive. Seriously not joking. He really deserves it100%