A 19-year-old Clearwater woman was arrested last week after police say she viciously beat her pit bull puppy.
The disturbing incident has animal lovers across Florida outraged and highlights the serious nature of animal cruelty cases in the Sunshine State.
And police arrested a Florida woman for brutally attacking a puppy in this one shocking animal cruelty case.
Puppy beaten after accident on owner’s bed
La’Myah Rumph was arrested on May 22 and charged with felony animal cruelty after Clearwater Police Department officers responded to a disturbance call at her Alpine Road apartment.
According to the arrest affidavit, Rumph became “enraged” when her 5-month-old pit bull puppy had an accident and defecated on her bed.
Police said Rumph responded with extreme violence, “aggressively” grabbing the young puppy by its neck, lifting it into the air, and striking it with her fist.
The abuse didn’t stop there.
Investigators stated that Rumph then threw the puppy into a metal crate with such force that it broke the metal door of the cage.
In a particularly cruel act, Rumph then allegedly poured what police described as a “copious amount” of hot sauce and pickle juice onto the puppy while it was confined in the damaged crate.
Puppy found trembling and injured
When officers arrived at the apartment, they found the puppy still inside the crate, covered in sauce and visibly distressed.
“The puppy was trembling, shaking, upset and visibly distraught,” according to police reports.
Officers noted that the area in and around the cage was “scattered with feces.”
Law enforcement also observed that the puppy was unable to fully bear weight on its left hind leg due to injuries sustained from the incident.
After securing the scene, officials from Pinellas County Animal Control were called to take custody of the puppy.
The animal was transported to a veterinarian for examination and treatment of injuries.
Owner facing serious charges
Rumph was arrested and booked into the Pinellas County jail on a felony charge of animal cruelty.
Her bond was set at $5,000, and records show she was released later the same day after posting bond.
Felony animal cruelty in Florida carries potential penalties of up to five years in prison, five years of probation, and a $10,000 fine.
The Clearwater Police Department has not provided additional details about what led to the initial disturbance call, but the investigation into the incident continues.
Animal Control has also initiated a separate investigation to determine the extent of the puppy’s injuries and what further actions might be necessary to protect the animal.
The bigger picture of animal abuse
Cases like this highlight the ongoing problem of animal cruelty in Florida and across the nation.
Animal welfare advocates emphasize that proper pet care includes understanding that puppies require patience and training, particularly during housebreaking.
Experts note that animals, especially young puppies, cannot be expected to understand proper behavior without consistent, positive training methods.
Physical punishment is never appropriate and can lead to both physical injuries and lasting behavioral issues.
The case also underscores the importance of reporting suspected animal abuse to local authorities.
In many cases, early intervention can prevent serious harm to animals and connect pet owners with appropriate resources if they’re struggling with pet care.
What happens next?
Pinellas County Animal Control has not released information about the puppy’s current condition or what will happen to the animal moving forward.
Typically in such cases, animals receive necessary medical care and are eventually made available for adoption if they recover from their injuries.
As for Rumph, she will face the legal consequences of the felony charge in the coming months as the case progresses through the court system.
