Friday, June 2, 2023
#1 News Source in Sebastian, Florida
FEEDBACK
Sebastian Daily
  • News
    • All News
    • Business
    • Community
    • Crime
    • Events
    • Food
    • Health
    • Schools
    • Traffic
  • Newsletter
  • Calendar
  • Fishing
  • Obituaries
  • Weather
  • Advertising
  • More
    • Feedback
    • 2022 Sebastian Business Awards
      • Best Bars in Sebastian
      • Best Diners in Sebastian, Florida
      • Best Music in Sebastian
      • Best Pizza in Sebastian
      • Best Pubs in Sebastian
      • Best Sub Sandwiches in Sebastian
      • Best Wings in Sebastian
    • Health Inspections
    • Letters to the Editor
No Result
View All Result
  • News
    • All News
    • Business
    • Community
    • Crime
    • Events
    • Food
    • Health
    • Schools
    • Traffic
  • Newsletter
  • Calendar
  • Fishing
  • Obituaries
  • Weather
  • Advertising
  • More
    • Feedback
    • 2022 Sebastian Business Awards
      • Best Bars in Sebastian
      • Best Diners in Sebastian, Florida
      • Best Music in Sebastian
      • Best Pizza in Sebastian
      • Best Pubs in Sebastian
      • Best Sub Sandwiches in Sebastian
      • Best Wings in Sebastian
    • Health Inspections
    • Letters to the Editor
No Result
View All Result
Sebastian Daily
No Result
View All Result
Home Community News in Sebastian, Florida

Sebastian K-9 Trial Begins Against Officer Accused Of Animal Cruelty

Andy Hodges by Andy Hodges
Oct 29, 2017 / 10:19 AM
A A
Trial begins for Sebastian Police K-9 death.

Trial begins for Sebastian Police K-9 death. (Photo: Sebastian Police Department)

Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare via Email

SEBASTIAN – A few months ago, a Sebastian K-9 was found dead in an officer’s hot car after he allegedly forgot while attending a court hearing.

Eric Michael Antosia, 41, would not speak to Sebastian Daily about the case because of the upcoming trial. He is charged with animal cruelty, a first-degree misdemeanor.

However, Antosia was very emotional and could barely continue any discussion regarding the death of his K-9. It was obvious that he is still going through a lot of pain over the loss of Diesel, his former K-9 partner.

Antosia had been a K-9 handler since 2001 and a veteran police officer for more than 20 years. Diesel was his second dog. He adopted his first K-9 after the animal was retired.

On April 28, Antosia went to a court proceeding and took Diesel with him. The dog was later found dead in the officer’s vehicle at his home in Melbourne.

“When he returned home, he forgot to remove his dog from the patrol vehicle. He shut the vehicle off and went inside his home,” the report said. “The vehicle’s windows were rolled up and since the vehicle was off, the air conditioner was also off.”

Melbourne officials say the K-9 was left in the vehicle for several hours.

When Antosia discovered the German shepherd in the vehicle, he called a Sebastian police corporal, who called a Sebastian police dispatcher, who called Melbourne Police, according to court records.

Veterinarian Angela Cail determined the dog died from heat stroke, according to a police report.

Antosia was charged Aug. 23 with animal cruelty. He is on administrative leave without pay, Sebastian Police Commander John Blackledge told Sebastian Daily.

According to Lt. Cheryl Trainer, spokeswoman for the Melbourne Police Department, Antosia “is devastated. It’s just awful.”

Antosia’s attorney, Gregory Eisenmenger, motioned to dismiss the charges. Eisenmenger argued Antosia was using a police vehicle that was set up differently than his usual vehicle.

Diesel was a Sebastian Police K-9 who was found dead in the officer's vehicle.
Diesel was a Sebastian Police K-9 who was found dead in the officer’s vehicle. (Photo: Sebastian Police Department)

Vehicles carrying K-9s by Sebastian Police officers are equipped with an alarm system called “Hot-N-Pop” that lowers the windows, sounds the horn, flashes the lights and pages the officer when temperatures reach 90 degrees, according to court records.

Commander Blackledge said Antosia was assigned a “back-up K-9 unit.”

“It is equipped with the same features as the four handlers’ regularly assigned vehicles,” Blackledge said.

However, Eisenmenger argued the vehicle Antosia usually drove did have the same alarm system, but it was not set to sound the alarm when the car was off and it did not alert Antosia to remove his dog when the ignition was turned off.

“The vehicle had been reset to factory default settings without any notice to Officer Antosia that the settings were different than his normally assigned vehicle,” the motion said.

But the motion for dismissal was denied, and a jury trial is set to begin Oct. 30 in Melbourne.

Blackledge said an internal affairs investigation into the Sebastian officer’s actions involving the K-9 would begin as is standard procedure.

Latest Sebastian Video

.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Jun 2
3:00 pm - 7:00 pm

L&G Live at Capt Hirams Sandbar

Jun 2
4:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Paul Christopher at Mulligans Beach House (Sebastian)

Jun 2
4:00 pm - 9:00 pm

Space Coast Tots (Food Truck) at Mash Monkeys Brewing Company

View Calendar
Previous Post

Sebastian Clambake Festival 2017 Set For Seafood Chowder

Next Post

Vero Beach Neighbors Throw Punches Over Lawn Mower

Next Post
Neighbors fight over cut grass in Vero Beach.

Vero Beach Neighbors Throw Punches Over Lawn Mower

MORE FROM SEBASTIAN DAILY

Brown pelican in Sebastian, Florida.

What’s it like living in Sebastian, Florida?

June 1, 2023
Tropical Depression Two / NOAA

Tropical Depression Two May Intensify, Threaten Florida with Rain

June 1, 2023
Sebastian Inlet Fishing

Sebastian Prepares for Two License-Free Fishing Weekends in June

June 1, 2023
Food distribution center / Treasure Coast Food Bank

Treasure Coast Food Bank Bolsters 2023 Hurricane Preparedness

June 1, 2023

UPCOMING EVENTS

Jun 2
3:00 pm - 7:00 pm

L&G Live at Capt Hirams Sandbar

Jun 2
4:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Paul Christopher at Mulligans Beach House (Sebastian)

Jun 2
4:00 pm - 9:00 pm

Space Coast Tots (Food Truck) at Mash Monkeys Brewing Company

Jun 2
5:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Dreamer Band at Rosie’s Bottom’s Up

Jun 2
6:00 pm - 9:00 pm

Matt Rosman at Mash Monkeys Brewing Co.

View Calendar
Sebastian Daily

Newspaper in Sebastian, Florida. Trusted news in Indian River County and Sebastian, Florida. Sebastian Daily offers hometown news, reviews, obituaries, weather, and hurricane updates.

Information

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Disclosure
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms Of Use
  • Signup for Newsletter

Mailing Address

Sebastian Daily, LLC
1603 U.S. Highway 1
Suite 102
Sebastian, Florida 32958

For advertising services or to post an obituary, please call Tina at 772-925-5221.

© 2023 Sebastian Daily. All Rights Reserved. Sebastian Daily® is a registered trademark of Sebastian Daily, LLC.

No Result
View All Result
  • News
    • All News
    • Business
    • Community
    • Crime
    • Events
    • Food
    • Health
    • Schools
    • Traffic
  • Calendar
  • Features
    • 2022 Sebastian Business Awards
      • Best Bars in Sebastian
      • Best Diners in Sebastian
      • Best Music in Sebastian
      • Best Pizza in Sebastian
      • Best Pubs in Sebastian
      • Best Sub Sandwiches in Sebastian
      • Best Wings in Sebastian
    • Health Inspections
  • Obituaries
  • Letters to the Editor
  • Advertising
  • Weather
  • Fishing Report
  • FEEDBACK
  • Newsletter

© 2023 Sebastian Daily. All Rights Reserved. Sebastian Daily® is a registered trademark of Sebastian Daily, LLC.