Florida man allegedly slashed a dog multiple times with a machete, accused of animal cruelty

A man in Florida used a machete to slash a dog several times and now faces animal cruelty charges, police say.

Richard K. Nelson, of New Smyrna Beach, 46, was arrested July 16 on a felony charge of animal cruelty, as well as a charge of providing false information to a law enforcement officer.

The dog survived after receiving emergency medical care for wounds to his back and face, according to the Volusia County Sheriff's Office.

Animal Control took custody of the dog and transported him to treat his injuries. The pup was up and walking soon after the incident, according to the Volusia County Sheriff's Office.

On July 9, the dog’s owner said Nelson, who was in the backyard of her property, attacked her dog after she let him outside.

The owner conceded the dog doesn’t like Nelson due to past encounters, but that the violent machete attack was unprovoked, deputies noted.

Nelson told deputies he was sitting in the backyard when the dog attacked him and bit him in the chest. He claimed he only defended himself with the machete.

The next day, a Volusia County animal control officer contacted the Sheriff’s Office with video surveillance of the incident.

The video showed the dog roaming the yard until it ran past Nelson and growled. Nelson allegedly responded by picking up a machete and charging at the dog while throwing something at the animal.

Police say Nelson continued to chase the dog around the yard and started slashing at him while the owner yelled for him to leave the dog alone. However, police say Nelson kept swinging and continued to chase and slash at the dog, pursuing him into a wooded area and into thick brush.

Nelson is listed as a transient with no permanent address.

An off-duty Edgewater Police Department K-9 officer spotted Nelson and arrested him. He was booked at the Volusia County Branch Jail.