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Hallandale Beach police seek man they say left puppy without food, water for weeks

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – A Hallandale Beach man left a puppy outside with no food or water for nearly a month, according to police. Investigators are now trying to find him.

According to police, Ruben Morales, 55, left the “female bulldog mix” at the home on Southwest Eighth Avenue on Nov. 30 and officers rescued her on Thursday.

“The dog shows obvious signs of swelling, redness, hair loss, skin irritation, scabs, foul-smelling crusts and dry blood mixed with open wounds,” Hallandale Beach Police Department Detective Erik Camero wrote in the affidavit. “(Her) body showed little to no hair, which was thinning.”

A probable cause affidavit states neighbors had been trying to contact Morales about the dog and later reported the cruelty to Broward County animal control officers.

Police said Morales knew the dog needed medical treatment and left her anyway.

“It’s apparent that it has a severe skin condition,” HBPD Sgt. Nini McArdle told Local 10 News on Tuesday. “While on scene, officers also discovered two juveniles inside of the residence, ages 12 and 5, who were left unattended.”

Child protective services investigators are handling that aspect of the investigation, police said.

McArdle called the situation “serious.”

“We do not take this incident lightly,” she said.

The dog was at an animal rescue and will require weeks of treatment as of Tuesday. Community members have set up a GoFundMe page to help finance treatment.

Anyone with information on the case is asked to call HBPD.


About the Authors
Rosh Lowe headshot

Reporter Rosh Lowe has been covering news for nearly two decades in South Florida. He joined Local 10 in 2021.

Chris Gothner headshot

Chris Gothner joined the Local 10 News team in 2022 as a Digital Journalist.

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