MICHAEL DAVID COOK arrested after being caught on video unmercifully abusing his small dog

- Florida, USA -

The Fort Myers Police Department announced the arrest of 44-year-old MICHAEL DAVID COOK (pictured).

The Police said in a press release that on the early afternoon of Tuesday, September 2, 2025, Officers Colantuono and Camilleri were dispatched to an apartment complex in the 2200 block of McGregor Boulevard to investigate a report of animal cruelty.

On arrival, the officers learned from the reporting party that COOK was abusing his small dog. According to the witness, COOK hit the dog and threw him/her against a wall. The witness further said that he confronted COOK and threatened to call the police, which he thankfully did.

One of the videos recorded by the witness showed COOK grabbing the dog and violently throwing him/her against a wall causing the furvictim to cry in pain. Another video which was submitted to Officers Colantuono and Camilleri as evidence, showed COOK kneeling on the defenseless dog.

When the officers questioned COOK about his actions, he “admitted to handling the dog roughly but attempted to justify his actions as discipline related to obedience and house-training issues,” stated the press release.

The Lee County Sheriff’s Office Animal Cruelty Unit, including Sgt. Van Pelt, and Lee County Animal Control responded to assist, and Animal Control took the dog for medical evaluation.

According to the press release, the dog displayed “signs of fear and possible injury.”

COOK was placed under arrest and charged with one felony count of aggravated animal cruelty. He was booked into the Lee County Jail and released the following day after posting a $5,000 bond.

Court records show that COOK is scheduled to appear in Lee County Circuit Court on October 6, 2025, at 8:30 a.m.

I have reached out to the Fort Myers Police Department to inquire about the furvictim’s well-being, but its PIO Megan Fuentes has not responded to my email.

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Voice For Us Disclaimer: This story is sourced from the press release by the Fort Myers Police Department. Please note that details may be removed or new information added should updates become available.

In the case of charges being dropped, dismissed, or the case being purged, this article will be rectified accordingly, if official documentation is provided to Voice For Us.

COOK’s mugshot shared from the Fort Myers Police Department

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