News and Investigations

On Tuesday, March 26, 2024, the Polk County Sheriff’s Office Animal Cruelty Investigations Unit responded to assist the Haines City Police Department related to a reported case of animal cruelty. A PCSO investigator met with several witnesses in the Hidden Lake Preserve neighborhood in Haines City who heard dogs yelping and saw 21-year-old Angel Enrrique Burgos, of Haines City, carrying a small dog to a pond and striking the dog multiple times in the neighborhood. A witness saw Burgos throw the dog toward the water. The witness later found the dog, deceased, at the pond. 

The PCSO detective recovered surveillance footage from several residents. The footage showed Burgos carry two dogs toward a pond; the dogs were loudly yelping in the process. Both dogs were discovered deceased at the pond.

For comments from Sheriff Grady Judd about the investigation, go to: https://youtu.be/QHAUDbHZ1SE 

For surveillance video excerpts, go to: 
https://youtu.be/upMWLb6AbJE

Detectives recovered multiple items that were placed into outside trash bins by Burgos. Located inside the trash bins were: a pair of black with white lettering slides with a red substance, a pair of light colored socks with red substance, light colored blue shorts with a red substance, black handled knife with a red substance and light colored hair type, and a light gray t-shirt with a red substance. 

The two dogs were collected by deputies and sent to Veterinarian Doctor Centonze for a Necropsy. Doctor Centonze advised the first dog (Lincoln) a Chihuahua mix type male had approximately 14 puncture wounds consistent with a sharp object. Doctor Centonze stated Lincoln died from internal bleeding in the chest area which caused the dog to suffocate and drown on his own blood. Doctor Centonze advised this was a painful, horrible death.

Doctor Centonze advised the second dog (Casper) a Chihuahua mix type male had approximately 7 puncture wounds consistent with a sharp object. Doctor Centonze stated Casper died from internal bleeding in the chest area, which caused the dog to suffocate and drown on his own blood. Doctor Centonze advised this was a painful, horrible death.

Based on the detective’s investigation it was determined that the suspect knowingly, willingly and unlawfully, used a sharp object to stab repeatedly approximately 14 puncture wounds into Lincoln. This action caused great pain and suffering. This lead to a cruel death by bleeding internally in the chest area which caused the dog to suffocate and drown on his own blood. The suspect knowingly, willingly and unlawfully, utilized a sharp object to stab repeatedly utilized a sharp object to stab approximately seven puncture wounds into Casper. This lead to a cruel death by bleeding internally in the chest area which caused Casper to suffocate and drown on his own blood. 

The investigation determined that Burgos attempted to conceal the incident by discarding clothing items and a knife inside trash bins. Burgos then preceded to use a water hose and brush to clean the driveway to hide evidence of the incident. Burgos did attempt to alter, destroy, conceal and remove evidence located on the driveway area to prevent proper investigation. Burgos did improperly discard two dogs he stabbed to death in a place where such carcasses could be devoured by beast or bird. The suspect did not bury at least two feet below ground or burn. The suspect did illegally dump the two dogs onto property owned by Hidden Lake Preserve.

The suspect was taken into custody without incident and transported to the Sheriff’s Processing Center by Haines City Police Department. He has been charged with 2 counts of felony animal cruelty, tampering with evidence, 2 counts of improper disposal of deceased animals, and 2 counts of illegal dumping.
Burgos has two prior arrest for battery. 

“This behavior on Burgos’ part is disgusting. He caused the pain, suffering and death of two dogs for which he had a moral responsibility to nurture and provide care. Human depravity like this still shocks me. There is no excuse.” –Grady Judd, Sheriff