Investigators search for possible animal abuse suspect in North Fort Myers

Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers and Lee County Sheriff’s Office want the public’s help to identify a possible animal abuse suspect in North Fort Myers.

According to the Crime Stoppers Facebook post, LCSO received a recent tip about a man who was seen hurting a dog before walking away with it near the intersection of Woodward Avenue and Pine Island Road.

Investigators say two witnesses reported sitting at a traffic light of the intersection and claim they saw a man in his thirties — who was had on black shorts, no shirt with short blonde hair — walking northbound on Woodward Ave. with a gray pit bull-type canine.

They say the dog stopped walking, and the suspect picked the dog up by its leash, threw it to the ground and then kicked it several times before walking away from the area with the dog in hand.

The suspect possibly drives a four-door silver Mercedes and lives in the Palmona Park area of North Fort Myers, going by a possible nickname of “Junior.”

Anyone with information on the identity of the suspect or who has information about the case is encouraged to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-780-TIPS (8477). All callers will remain anonymous and will be eligible for a cash reward of up to $3,000. Tips can also be made online at the SWFL Crime Stopper website or by submitting a tip on the P3Tips mobile app.