D'Anthony Davis, the owner of a doberman named Duchess, which neighbors allege he starved and kept chained outside during the hottest weeks of the summer, was arrested this afternoon, three separate witnesses told New Times.
Amy Roman, who has championed the dog's cause through her group 101+ Abandoned Dogs, says eight cop cars surrounded Davis' residence at 1636 Northeast 17th Street in Fort Lauderdale.
Soon after, Davis and his wife were arrested, she said.
See also: D'Anthony Davis Charged With Domestic Violence, Aggravated Battery Of A Pregnant Woman On Tuesday, images of the doberman, clearly emaciated and dehydrated, outraged thousands over social media.
Yesterday, police arrived at the residence to interview Davis and observe Duchess, but decided nothing was amiss.
"Police found the doberman, Duchess, untethered in the back yard," police spokesperson DeAnna Greenlaw said yesterday in a statement. "The specialist noted Duchess was thin, but did not appear to be in poor health. The owners showed the specialist and detectives a tub of high quality dog food, and were educated by the specialist on the specific nutritional needs of a doberman."
That the dog remained at the Davis house incensed local animal activists.
"I was outraged the police would let the dog stay with [Davis]," explained Jean Willey, who lives down the road. She saw the dog quickly shed pounds after weeks of baking in the Florida sun. At one point, she recalled, she saw the dog try to bury a hole for itself under the deck to get some shade. "The dog wasn't being taken care of properly," she said. "And then for the owners to say on TV that it had only been outside for an hour -- that's a complete lie."
An additional witness, who requested anonymity, said after authorities arrived earlier this afternoon, "it took three cops to put [Davis] inside the care. And then his wife came out and she was screaming and hollering. Afterward, we waited 20 minutes, and then animal control showed up."
Broward County Animal Control didn't return immediate requests for comment.
Here's a video of the dog that animal activists say proves that the dog was mistreated.
See also: -Doctor Accused of Beating a Dog to Death Kills Himself -Injured Pit Bulls Used For Dog Fighting Rescued In Indian River County -Diane Carle, Crazy Palm Beach Cat Lady, Imprisoned More Than 140 Cats In Urine-Washed Home
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