A Jensen Beach man has been charged with animal cruelty after witnesses reported seeing him allegedly abuse a 5-month-old Puggle puppy that veterinarians later determined was suffering from cocaine exposure, according to the Martin County Sheriff’s Office.
Martin County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded after witnesses reported hearing the puppy cry and seeing 62-year-old John Burt Sparhawk allegedly holding the dog above his head and strangling it, the sheriff’s office said.
According to investigators, Sparhawk claimed the puppy was suffering from a seizure before walking away from the animal and telling neighbors to take it to the hospital…