Officer missed court date on animal cruelty charge
Michael Granger PCSO mug shot
AVON PARK (FOX 13) - Pasco County deputies have arrested a Florida corrections officer for failing to appear in court on animal cruelty charges.
Deputies say 31-year-old Michael Granger was charged with animal cruelty back in March after a neighbor reported seeing him punch his own German Shepherd while trying to give it a bath.
The witness also saw Granger pick up the dog and throw it to the ground. Deputies responded to the scene and conducted an animal cruelty investigation, during which Granger was cooperative and admitted that he "lost his temper" and hurt the dog. He willingly surrendered the 1.5 year old dog to PCSO Animal Control, where it was treated for its injuries (tender lower back and tail area, flea infestation, high temperature, no broken bones). The dog is expected to make a full recovery.
Deputies charged Granger with one count misdemeanor Animal Cruelty, and issued a notice to appear for court on June 10th.
When Granger failed to show up, deputies served him with a warrant for his arrest and booked him into the Polk County Jail. He was released a short time later on $500 bond.
Granger is employed as a corrections officer with the Florida Department of Corrections, at the Avon Park Correctional Institution, which is not affiliated with the Polk County Jail.