BRADENTON, Fla. — A man is facing charges after officers said he repeatedly beat a 9-week-old puppy and was caught on surveillance video.

Employees at Kava Social Club alerted a Bradenton police Officer who was patrolling downtown about their concerns for a dog's welfare.

They said several customers saw Christian Cuello, 30, grab the puppy's neck and hit it in the face before leaving the business, according to a post from the police department.

Staff turned over multiple videos of the incident from security cameras. The officer recognized the dog and found its owner, who said she had left the dog in Cuello's care.

Cuello, who was already on probation for an unrelated case, was arrested for animal cruelty and booked into the county jail. The puppy was taken to a veterinary hospital fo

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