JUPITER, Fla. (CBS12) — The man accused of brutally attacking his own dog at a Jupiter park and holding the pup’s head underwater multiple times was booked on an animal cruelty count after his arrest in a separate investigation.
Jupiter Police Department officers identified Phillip Conway as the person seen beating the black-and-white dog Sunday evening, but they did not catch up with him until Tuesday, when he was at a local hospital following the other arrest.
Conway, 31, told investigators the dog ran into Burt Reynolds Park, and he had to chase after the runaway pet. According to Conway, when he went to pick up the dog, it bit him in the face. The arresting officer noted that Conway had injuries on his nose and forehead.
The affidavit alleges it was at this point Conway took the dog back to his boat, which was anchored at the park. Conway admitted submerging the dog twice, according to the police department, but told them he does not remember if he struck the pup.
In all, Conway estimated five minutes had elapsed between the time he was bit and when he had the dog back at the boat.
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Palm Beach County Animal Care and Control released pictures of Dango, the dog who was seen allegedly being beaten by a man at Burt Reynolds Park, in Jupiter, on May 26, 2024. (PBCACC)
The man who reported seeing the attack told CBS12 News’ Luli Ortiz that he was so upset by what he saw that he had been unable to sleep.
“He was holding it under the water with both hands. He was trying to drown it for over 30 seconds at a time. He picked the dog up out of the water and slammed it back down,” he said. “He was beating the dog with his fist, all over the body and head.”
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Jupiter police arrived but nothing was really done to ensure the animal’s safety, he said.
Travis, who did not want to share his last name, decided to act by sharing what he saw on the Nextdoor app to inform members of the community. Hundreds of comments started pouring in. A few also witnessed the incident. Some even shared photos of the dog owner in question.
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A local father saw the alleged animal abuse incident at a Jupiter Park that police said occurred Memorial Day weekend. “He was holding it under the water with both hands. He was trying to drown it for over 30 seconds at a time. He picked the dog up out of the water and slammed it back down,” the witness told CBS12’s Luli Ortiz on Tuesday May 28, 2024. “He was beating the dog with his fist, all over the body and head.” (WPEC)
“All of a sudden, the community got involved. They started flooding the police with calls,” Travis said.
In addition to the animal cruelty count, Conway also faces allegations of trespassing and resisting an officer, stemming from another case, jail records show.
Palm Beach County Animal Care and Control did confirm they have the alleged suspect’s dog and the dog is now safe.
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