Second person arrested in connection with puppy found dead in Lee County apartment

NORTH FORT MYERS, Fla. —

Lee County deputies arrested Xavier Stewart, 20, who is facing an aggravated animal cruelty charge after an 11-month-old terrier mix puppy was found dead in a crate inside Neah Copeland’s North Fort Myers apartment.

Deputies arrived at the apartment on Saturday and said the dog had starved to death two days earlier. The video of the deceased animal was so graphic that it had to be blurred.

Deputies said they learned that Stewart and Copeland owned the dog and shared responsibility for its care. Their reported failure to do so led to both of their arrests.

The terrier mix puppy was found dead in a crate covered in feces and urine. Deputies said that in the nine months Stewart and Copeland owned the dog, it had gained fewer than three pounds.

Copeland told deputies she lived a busy lifestyle and reportedly couldn’t remember the last time the dog had been fed.

Bernard von NotHaus, a Cape Coral resident, shared his thoughts on the incident.

"To take out your frustrations, your anger, anything that is negative in your life on an animal, regretful, dumb, unfortunate, sick," von NotHaus said.

This week, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed new legislation aimed at cracking down on animal cruelty. The law toughens penalties, especially for repeat offenders, and ensures those who abuse animals are held accountable.

Jessica Prouls, another Cape Coral resident, expressed her opinion on the matter.

"I don't think there is a punishment harsh enough," Prouls said.

Florida has an animal abuse registry that tracks people convicted of animal crimes. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement posts the names of those convicted of animal cruelty to prevent them from purchasing another animal.

"I really don't know how people can just sit there and watch their animal dying in front of them for a year," Prouls said.

Stewart is facing a charge of aggravated animal cruelty.

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