Cape Coral man gets jail time for leaving dog tied to tree

A Cape Coral man will serve 180 days in jail for tying his dog to a tree, causing the animal severe injury.

Robert Wayne Callahan, 41, initially pleaded not guilty in the case, but changed his plea to guilty and was sentenced Thursday to serve 180 days in the Lee County Jail. He has also been banned from possessing or owning any animals and will be on probation for 48 months following his release from jail.

The Lee County Sheriff’s Office began their investigation into Callahan in October after receiving a complaint from a rescue about a dog with a rope embedded in its neck at a home in the 800 block of Andalusia Boulevard.

The dog, named Charlie, was found to have a severe, gaping wound because of the rope. A veterinarian who examined Charlie said the dog had been kept outside on the rope for an “extended period of time with no care.” He was also covered with fleas and extremely emaciated.

Charlie received stitches around his entire neck to close the wound. He is currently with a foster program.