Florida Air Conditioning Tech Charged with Animal Cruelty for Kicking Customer’s Chihuahua Until It Was ‘Unconscious’

Richardson Noel, a Florida HVAC technician, was arrested and charged with animal cruelty after police say he was seen on video kicking a customer’s Chihuahua unconscious.

Sanford Police Department

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An HVAC technician was arrested after video allegedly showed him kicking a customer’s Chihuahua unconscious

The Sanford Police Department identified Richardson Noel as the person in custody

The incident was captured on a Furbo dog treat dispenser camera while Noel was servicing the home

A Florida air conditioning tech has been charged with animal cruelty after he was allegedly caught on video violently kicking a small dog while working at a client’s home.

On Thursday, Aug. 27, the Sanford Police Department announced that Richardson Noel, 43, had been arrested on charges of aggravated animal cruelty. Police say a Furbo dog treat dispenser in the living room of the home was equipped with a camera, which allegedly captured Noel kicking the family’s Chihuahua until the animal was “unconscious,” according to the statement.

A video, with a “sensitive content” warning, showed the canine in the living room, barking at Noel, who was in the yard.

It is unclear how long the dog was barking before Noel entered the living room through a sliding door and allegedly kicked the Chihuahua, causing the dog to slide across the floor and land on its side.

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Sanford Police Department/Facebook

No more barking was heard from the dog, which remained unconscious for a “significant period of time,” following the kick, police said.

“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,” Sanford Police Chief Cecil Smith said in a statement.

“The video is difficult to watch and shows the callousness of this individual,” the police chief added.

SPD did not disclose the name of the company where the HVAC technician was employed.

The incident happened just before 11:30 a.m. local time on Monday, Aug. 24, according to a date and time stamp on the Furbo footage. Police were made aware of the incident on Wednesday, Aug. 25.

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Noel was arrested on Thursday. It is not immediately known if he has obtained legal counsel.

Investigators are asking anyone with additional information about this incident to please contact the Sanford Police Department or Crimeline at 800 423-TIPS (8477) or visit crimeline.org. Calls made to Crimeline remain anonymous.

Crime