Press Release

Man Charged With Animal Abuse

Insular Investigation detectives on St. Croix arrested a man and charged him with Animal Abuse after an investigation identified him as the person who kicked a small dog and causing a pelvis dislocation and other injuries. Police arrested Kaleed M. Ferdinand at about 6 a.m. on June 19 and charged him with the crime.

 According to the affidavit filed by the detective witnesses called police after they observed a man violently kick a small dog in the area of the Sion Farm steps near Sunny Isles Shopping Center on April 17 at about 3:30 p.m. Police said Ferdinand was talking with a female who was walking with a small tan dog. Witnesses said the dog was walking around the female when Ferdinand violently kicked the dog in its lower back causing the dog to cry out in pain and spin around five times, according to the affidavit.

Concerned citizens call the police and the Animal Welfare Center who took the animal to the veterinarian. Detectives followed up on the case and arrested the 22-year-old Ferdinand charging him with First Degree Animal Abuse and First Degree Animal Neglect. His bail was set at $10,000 and he was remanded to the custody of the Golden Grove Adult Correctional Facility pending further court action.