VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. — A New Smyrna Beach man is charged with animal cruelty for allegedly attacking a dog with a machete.
Deputies arrested Richard Nelson on Friday for providing false information to investigators.
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Investigators said the incident happened July 9 in the backyard belonging to Nelson’s friend.
At the time, Nelson told deputies he had slashed the dog because it was attacking him, a report shows.
Deputies said a surveillance video of the incident surfaced, and deputies said it showed the dog didn’t attack Nelson before he attacked it.
Animal Control took the dog and transported it for treatment of its injuries.
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Deputies said the dog was up and able to walk around shortly after the incident and is expected to recover from its wounds.
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