MIDDLEBURG, Fla. – Clay County deputies are asking the public for help identifying a group of children accused of abusing a small dog at a local boat ramp. This incident led to the death of the animal days later.
According to the Clay County Sheriff’s Office, the incident occurred on May 17 at the Main Street Boat Ramp in Middleburg. A group of four to five children was seen throwing a chihuahua-mix dog into the water, holding it underwater and physically abusing it.
A family that witnessed the abuse rescued the dog, but the animal died a few days after the incident. The children left the scene before authorities arrived. They are described only as being between 9 and 13 years old.
Christian Swaner was shocked to learn about the incident.
“It’s just crazy, it’s crazy something could happen out here like that,” she said.
It’s something that she said parents should have heightened awareness of.
“People just got to raise their kids to do better, raise them up right. And that could be part of it. There’s no telling,” Swanter said.
Logan Shover shared similar sentiments, saying, “I think it has something to do with the parents, not disciplining their kids, because 9 and 13, they should know better to do something to an animal like that.”
Shover said he was a dog owner, so the situation hit close to home for him.
“That’s sick. I mean as somebody who has dogs and loves my animals, I couldn’t imagine somebody doing that to my dogs,” he said.
“𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐰𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐚𝐧𝐲𝐛𝐨𝐝𝐲 𝐝𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬?”
— Clay County Sheriff's Office, FL (@ccsofl) June 10, 2026
Clay County, we need your help. On May 17, 2026, a group of 4-5 children were seen at the Main Street Boat Ramp in Middleburg with a young chihuahua-mix dog, throwing it around in the water, holding it underwater and physically… pic.twitter.com/ulP1eEanni
Investigators are urging parents whose children were in the area that day to speak with them directly about what they may have seen or done.
“Parents, if your kids were in the area that day or possibly know of someone who was there, we’re asking you to please speak with them and come forward if they have any information,” the sheriff’s office said. “Anything could help us find who’s responsible.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Gary Winterstein directly. The case number is 2026-011933.
- Phone: 904-264-6512 (ask for Detective Gary Winterstein)
- Email: GaryW@claysheriff.com
- Anonymous tip: SaferWatch app or First Coast Crimestoppers at 888-845-TIPS (8477)