Polk man hanged dog from tree, dragged body behind ATV, say deputies Posted: Mar 05, 2015 10:48 AM EST Updated: Mar 05, 2015 10:55 AM EST A Davenport man is accused of hanging his dog from a tree and then dragging the dog's lifeless body behind an ATV before throwing it into a pond. It is the third disturbing case of animal cruelty reported by Tampa Bay authorities in the last 24 hours.
Polk County Sheriff's Office deputies arrested Victor "Manny" Solano, 29, on Wednesday. Solano's neighbors told deputies that Solano had asked them if they had a gun he could borrow, so he could shoot his dog for "making a mess in the trailer". The neighbors told Solano that they would not loan him a gun. The neighbors later saw the dog hanging from a tree with a rope around its neck. The 18 monthold grey pit bull was dead. Investigators say Solano then dragged the dog behind an ATV and dragged it to a pasture and dumped the dog into a pond. The dog's body was recovered from the pond and taken to Polk County Animal Control. Solano was arrested and charged with felony animal cruelty and unlawful disposal of a dead domestic animal.
The Polk County Sheriff's Office says that Solano was released from prison in March of 2013 and has been arrested on previous charges of battery domestic violence, carrying a concealed weapon violation of parole, and burglary and larceny.
This is the third case of animal cruelty reported by Tampa Bay authorities in 24 hours. On Wednesday morning, the Citrus County Sheriff's Office reported that deputies arrested a man for felony animal cruelty after he allegedly beat his dog with such force the dog's leg was broken and his eyes hemorrhaged. On Wednesday evening, Tampa Police reported that they had rescued a dog that was found shot and tied to railroad tracks in Sulphur Springs. As of Thursday morning, no arrests had been made in the case. Both dogs are expected to recover.
