MIDDLEBURG, Fla. – Allen Belton took in a small chihuahua that a family pulled from the hands of a group of children at a Middleburg boat dock. He named the dog Ghost, loved him, and watched him die. Now he wants answers.
“I keep asking why,” Belton said. “Why would you ever want to do something like that to this poor animal?”
The Clay County Sheriff’s Office said the incident happened May 17 at the Main Street boat dock in Middleburg. Investigators said a group of children — described only as between 9 and 13 years old — were seen throwing the dog and holding it underwater.
A family rescued the chihuahua and reached out to Belton, who took Ghost in and cared for him. The dog died a few days later.
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Ghost showed signs of recovery before his condition declined
In the days after Belton took Ghost in, the dog appeared to bounce back.
“He slept for about two or three hours and then he caught up and played like a normal puppy,” Belton said. “That Monday and Tuesday, he was like nothing had ever happened.”
But Ghost’s condition worsened at the end of that Tuesday.
“You could hear a lot of breathing — water in his lungs — from where the children tried to drown this poor dog,” Belton said. “That was very traumatizing for me. Just listening to him and having him going through this.”
Belton and his wife took Ghost to the vet multiple times over two days. Despite their efforts, Ghost did not survive.
“I cried every single day for well over a week because of how this poor, poor animal was just treated,” Belton said. “We gave him as much love as we possibly could before he passed.”
Belton said Ghost left a lasting mark on his family despite the short time they had together.
“He was certainly very special to us, and we really wish we could have gotten to keep him,” he said. “Very, very smart dog, and we were having lots of fun with him.”
Crime Stoppers offering up to $5,000 reward
First Coast Crime Stoppers is offering up to $5,000 for information leading to an arrest in the case. Tips have already started coming in since the reward was announced.
Chase Robinson, executive director of First Coast Crime Stoppers, said all types of information — even secondhand — could help investigators.
“What we’d like to tell people is if you overheard someone talking about something that they did, whether they were physically there when it happened or they’ve been speaking with someone, that information can be vital and give investigators a head start,” Robinson said.
Belton said he hopes those responsible are held accountable — and get help.
“If these kids do not get help now, they won’t make it,” Belton said. “They’re going to be juveniles, they’re going to be criminals for the rest of their lives. Someone needs to be held accountable.”
Anyone with information can call Crime Stoppers anonymously at 866-845-TIPS.
Belton set up a GoFundMe to help cover Ghost’s remaining vet bills. Click here to donate.