MIAMI – A man who neighbors said was caught on camera abusing his dog after it defecated on a high-rise balcony in downtown Miami spoke out publicly for the first time on Wednesday.
Dionisio Rodriguez, the dog owner, said the incident stemmed from his own frustration and that he was using training techniques from a professional trainer.
Rodriguez released a statement after the video, which authorities said showed him handling his dog roughly.
“The video does not reflect how I treat my dogs on a day-to-day basis,” he said. “It was a moment of frustration, and I recognize I acted incorrectly.”
However, Rodriguez’s explanation has not eased concerns from animal advocates.
Local 10 brought the viral video to Christine Snelgrove, an accredited dog trainer from Bauser’s Pet Training, for her expert opinion.
Snelgrove, who employs positive reinforcement methods in her training, told Local 10′s Jacey Birch that she was upset by what she saw.
“It almost makes me want to cry actually to see that,” Snelgrove said. “I don’t think there’s any need for any type of training like that. To me, that’s abuse -- that’s pure abuse.”
Snelgrove further stated that there are more effective and humane ways to train dogs.
“You don’t have to intimidate a dog to train a dog,” she added.
Miami-Dade Animal Services also reviewed the incident and released a statement acknowledging that Rodriguez claimed he was using techniques provided by a trainer.
The statement read, in part, “He was following training procedures that were provided to him by the dog’s trainer. The correction method used on the dogs was not recommended.”
Despite the concerning footage, the agency did not find sufficient evidence of abuse to press charges against Rodriguez. Instead, he was cited for not having current vaccinations or license tags for both of his dogs. He was also advised not to leave his animals unattended on the balcony, according to authorities.
The controversy surrounding Rodriguez grew after another video surfaced showing his dog left out in the rain on the same balcony.
Following these incidents, Rodriguez took to Instagram to apologize, this time in Spanish, saying:
“I offer my sincere apologies to anyone I may have offended, and I’m taking measures to make sure this never happens again.”
He also stated that he has been receiving death threats and pleaded for the threats against his family to stop.
“I’m ready to take responsibility for my actions, but I don’t think violence is the way,” he said.
As the videos continue to circulate online, the debate over proper dog training methods has intensified.
Animal welfare advocates and professional trainers like Snelgrove stress the importance of using humane, positive reinforcement techniques when teaching animals.
Rodriguez’s actions have drawn widespread condemnation, but some are also calling for understanding and education on better training practices to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Click here for more information on how to report any cases of animal abuse.