Village police arrested William Ramsey Hayes, 42, about 9:30 p.m. Friday. He was taken to the Palm Beach County Jail and held there until he was released Saturday afternoon after paying $500 bond.
Hayes faces one count of animal cruelty, village police said.
Several witnesses on Friday night reported seeing a man near Seabrook Road and Ridgewood Circle pick up his young Labrador retriever above his head, said Lt. Jason Turner, village police spokesman.
The witnesses told police the man then slammed the animal to the ground repeatedly until a witness confronted him. The man then fled the area with the dog.
One witness was on the phone calling 911 while another followed the suspect to his residence about one-half mile away, Turner said. Police later arrested Hayes.
An officer assessed the dog while arresting Hayes and noticed the animal had trouble sitting, Turner said. The dog then fell over and unsuccessfully tried to get back up. Hayes helped the animal stand up again.
The dog was taken by Palm Beach County Animal Care and Control and is expected to undergo further evaluation.
(Palm Beach Post - July 21, 2012)
