They impose periodic presentation, financial guarantee, and impediment to leaving the country on the man who threw a dog from a building.

Santo Domingo.- A judge from the Permanent Attention Office of the National District imposed periodic presentation, a ban on leaving the country, and an economic guarantee of RD$200,000 on the U.S. citizen Michael Williams, accused of throwing a dog from a residential building.

Assistant prosecutor Jhonny Núñez, who represents the Public Ministry in the case, stated that, although the most severe measure requested was not granted, the prosecuting body is satisfied because the process is ongoing and they already have the elements to formally present the accusation.

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“The Public Ministry requested preventive detention for the accused Michael Williams, but the judge imposed periodic reporting, a travel ban, and a financial guarantee of 200,000 pesos per contract. We are satisfied with the decision. We did our job as always, requested preventive detention, presented all the evidence, and the judge understood that what he could impose was the financial guarantee and periodic reporting,” explained Nuñez. The prosecutor described the act as biocide, that is, an act of extreme cruelty against animals, typified in Law 248-12 on Animal Protection.

“We call this case a biosidio because it is an act of cruelty against animals, as established in article 61 of Law 248-12. That rule contemplates penalties of six months to two years. The judge considered it a non-serious case and therefore imposed the economic guarantee,” he pointed out.

Furthermore, they indicated that they are ready for the next phase of the judicial process. “We are satisfied. We will immediately present our accusation, because we already have the evidentiary elements that identify this person as an accused who commits cruelty against animals,” he concluded.

Case Background

The incident occurred in the Villa Palmeras XXII tower, block C, located in the Bella Vista sector, National District. According to investigations, Michael Williams, 38 years old, allegedly threw a dog from the 11th floor of the building. The animal impacted the hood of a red Chevrolet vehicle, owned by citizen Daniel Fernando Batista, and died instantly. During his arrest, Williams was seized another dog, a brown Doberman, which showed visible signs of abuse, specifically in the neck area.