Prosecutors rest in case against man accused of decapitating dog, dumping body in Fort De Soto
'Justice for Dexter': State rests after 2 days
FOX 13's Kylie Jones reports on the testimony provided by the forensic veterinarian who examined Dexter; the dog was found decapitated at a Pinellas County park, about the findings before resting their case against Domingo Rodriguez on Thursday.
CLEARWATER, Fla. - After two days of witness testimony, the state rested its case Thursday in the trial against a man who’s accused of brutally killing and dumping a rescue dog in Pinellas County.
It comes after jurors heard from the forensic veterinarian, who examined the decapitated four-year-old bulldog mix's remains, about what she found. They also heard several neighbors, Pinellas County Sheriff's Office detectives and animal services staff testify on Thursday.
RELATED: Trial continues for man accused of decapitating dog, dumping body at Fort De Soto
What happened to Dexter?
The backstory:
The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office said Domingo Rodriguez adopted a four-year-old bulldog mix, Dexter, from Pinellas County Animal Services in May 2024.
Pictured: Dexter.
Four days later, deputies found the dog decapitated in a plastic bag floating in the mangroves of East Beach in Fort De Soto. Pinellas County Animal Services identified Dexter through his microchip, and identified Rodriguez as his owner.
Investigators said Rodriguez admitted he adopted Dexter and that he was at Fort De Soto on the day after he adopted the dog. He said he was at the park for 20 to 25 minutes before he left.
Day 3 of Domingo Rodriguez's trial
Dig deeper:
Elizabeth Pearlman, the forensic veterinarian who examined Dexter's body, testified on Day 3 of Domingo Rodriuez's trial in Pinellas County. When asked by the defense, she said there was no clear cause of death.
Investigators searching the area where Dexter's remains were found at Fort De Soto Park.
"Without a full body, it can be very challenging to determine cause of death," Elizabeth Pearlman, the forensic veterinarian said. "It’s possible that there was a gunshot wound. It’s possible that there was strangulation somewhere in the neck. There’s so many variables that I can’t rule in or rule out, like have them as a thought process to what killed Dexter, because I don’t have a key component of the body."
She also said that she couldn't confirm that Dexter died because of decapitation.
"There’s so many variables that I can’t rule in or rule out, like have them as a thought process to what killed Dexter, because I don’t have a key component of the body," Pearlman said.
PREVIOUS: Man accused of decapitating newly adopted dog, dumping body heads to trial in Pinellas County
Pictured: Domingo Rodriguez in a Pinellas County courtroom.
She said the decomposition in this case also poses a challenge. The defense also asked the forensic veterinarian about other factors examined. She said a toxicology test wasn’t submitted.
"So, we don’t know conclusively if there was something going on in the liver?" the defense asked. "‘I do not know conclusively if this dog was poisoned, toxined, exposed to something or not. That is correct,’" Pearlman said.
However, she explained that they have to submit a test for a specific toxin, so if there’s not one toxin that they are specifically looking for, they can’t submit a broad toxicology test.
Domingo Rodriguez's truck entering Fort De Soto Park was shown on surveillance cameras.
What they're saying:
Several neighbors also testified on the witness stand. The state asked one neighbor if she saw or heard anyone looking for a lost dog during the period of time after Rodriguez adopted Dexter.
"Did you ever recall anybody yelling for the dog, Dexter?" the prosecutor asked.
MORE: Man decapitates newly adopted dog, dumps body in Fort DeSoto Park: PCSO
"No. I never heard the name, Dexter at all,’" the neighbor replied.
Multiple neighbors said they had not ever seen Dexter in person, though. Another neighbor who testified said her security cameras didn’t show Rodriguez looking for Dexter. However, the defense asked the neighbor about signage throughout the neighborhood.
Pictured: Dexter.
"In your neighborhood, it’s covered in flyers and yard signs regarding this case, correct?" the defense asked.
"A lot, yes,’" the neighbor said.
"They have my client’s picture on it?" the defense asked.
"Yes," the neighbor replied.
READ: Fight for 'Dexter's Law' heads to Tallahassee
"They have Dexter’s picture on it?" the defense asked.
"Yes," the neighbor said.
"Do you have one of those yard signs in front of your house?" the defense asked.
"Yes," the neighbor replied.
The jury also heard testimony from PCSO detectives and staff from animal services.
What's next:
Thursday afternoon, the defense motioned for an acquittal, but that motion was denied by the judge. Rodriguez’s attorney said that the defendant would not testify. Closing statements are expected to happen on Friday.
Rodriguez faces up to five years in prison if convicted of aggravated cruelty to animals and unlawful disposal of bodies of dead animals.
The Source: This story was written using information from courtroom testimony and previous FOX 13 News reports.
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