FLORIDA HVAC TECHNICIAN ARRESTED AFTER PET CAMERA ALLEGEDLY CAPTURES HIM KICKING CUSTOMER’S CHIHUAHUA UNCONSCIOUS

A Florida air-conditioning technician has been arrested and charged with aggravated animal cruelty after a camera inside a customer’s home allegedly captured him violently kicking a small Chihuahua, according to police.

Richardson Noel, 43, was arrested Thursday, Aug. 27, after Sanford police said investigators reviewed footage showing the technician allegedly kicking the family’s dog while he was inside the home completing an air-conditioning service call.

The incident happened Monday, Aug. 24, at approximately 11:25 a.m., according to the timestamp on the footage.

PET CAMERA CAPTURED THE INCIDENT

According to the Sanford Police Department, the footage came from a Furbo dog treat dispenser equipped with a camera in the family’s living room.

Police said the Chihuahua was barking at Noel while he was outside in the yard.

The technician then allegedly entered the home through a sliding door.

Investigators say the video shows Noel kicking the small dog, causing the animal to slide across the floor and land on its side.

Police said the Chihuahua appeared to become unconscious and remained unresponsive for what investigators described as a “significant period of time.”

The video was later provided to police by the dog’s owner.

OWNER WAS HORRIFIED BY WHAT HE SAW

The dog’s owner, Ryan Menzies, told local media that his family’s two dogs were home while the HVAC technician worked on their air-conditioning system.

His wife was monitoring the camera when she saw the incident unfold.

The dog, a 12-year-old Chihuahua named Boomer, was later examined by veterinarians.

According to local reports, veterinarians found no broken bones, although the family believes Boomer may have suffered internal bruising.

Boomer has since returned home and is reportedly recovering.

His owner said the experience has changed the way the family plans to handle future visits by workers entering their home.

POLICE CALL THE FOOTAGE “DEEPLY DISTURBING”

Sanford Police Chief Cecil Smith strongly criticized the alleged conduct.

“It is deeply disturbing that someone entrusted with entering a person’s home to complete a service would violate that trust by viciously injuring a defenseless animal,” Smith said in a statement.

The chief also described the video as difficult to watch and said it demonstrated what police characterized as the suspect’s callousness.

Authorities have not publicly identified the company Noel was working for at the time of the incident.

TECHNICIAN FACES AGGRAVATED ANIMAL CRUELTY CHARGE

Police were notified of the incident on Aug. 25 after the family reported what they had seen.

Investigators subsequently identified Noel and arrested him on Aug. 27.

He was charged with aggravated animal cruelty.

It was not immediately clear whether Noel had retained an attorney or entered a plea.

As with any criminal allegation, the charge is not a finding of guilt, and Noel is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.

BOOMER IS BACK HOME

Despite the frightening incident, Boomer is now back with his family.

His owners say the dog is eating, resting and beginning to show signs of his usual personality again.

The family credits the pet camera with documenting what happened and providing investigators with evidence.

The case has also sparked a broader conversation about the trust homeowners place in service workers who enter their homes while pets or family members may be present.

For Boomer’s family, however, the priority is much more personal.

They are focused on helping their longtime companion recover — while waiting for the criminal case against the technician to move forward.