Deputies from the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office charged 22-year-old Dairon Molina with animal cruelty after an 11-month-old Labrador mix named Rose suffered a severe injury while under his care.
The incident, which resulted in Rose sustaining a complete fracture of her right femur, has raised serious concerns of abuse and did not appear accidental. On August 30, 2024, Rose was brought to an emergency veterinarian’s office.
According to reports, Molina was Rose’s sole caretaker at the time of the incident. The defendant provided conflicting explanations for the injury, initially claiming that his roommate kicked the dog down the stairs and later changing his story to say Rose had fallen down a carpeted staircase on her own.
Veterinarian experts who examined Rose stated that the femur, one of the hardest bones in a dog’s body, would not typically break from a fall down padded stairs. Instead, they concluded that an extreme amount of force would have been necessary to cause the fracture, leading to suspicions of abuse. The veterinarian contacted Pinellas County Animal Services after observing the severity of the injury and the signs of trauma.
Further troubling details emerged during Rose’s visit to the veterinarian’s office. Staff members reported that Rose displayed signs of fear toward the defendant, attempting to crawl away from him multiple times. After the initial examination, the defendant surrendered Rose to Pinellas County Animal Services.
Medical assessments revealed that Rose’s injured leg was “hanging and moderately edematous,” showing significant trauma. Due to the extent of the damage, surgery was required, and amputation may be necessary.
The defendant’s inconsistent explanations, combined with the expert opinion of the veterinarian, led to charges of animal cruelty. Authorities continue to investigate the incident.
Rose is currently receiving treatment and care, and the case remains ongoing.