Detectives are working to identify who was responsible after the dog was discovered dead in waters off Coconut Grove.
MIAMI, FL — Miami police are investigating a suspected animal cruelty case after a dog was found dead underwater and secured to two cinder blocks in Coconut Grove, a discovery that drew widespread attention after video of the animal circulated online.
The investigation remained active Wednesday as detectives worked to determine how the dog ended up in the water, who owned it and who may have been responsible. Police have not publicly said how the animal died or how long it had been in the water, and no arrest has been announced in connection with the dog’s death.
Ryan Young, who lives aboard a sailboat in the area, said he discovered the dog Tuesday morning while returning to the marina. Young said he initially thought a dog had accidentally fallen from a boat before noticing ropes and two cinder blocks. He alerted marina personnel, and the animal was retrieved from the water a short time later.
Young said the dog appeared to be a golden retriever. He told local news outlets that the animal had been secured with its leash and zip ties. He described the arrangement as “a very purposeful thing.” Authorities have not publicly confirmed the dog’s breed or released findings establishing when or under what circumstances the animal died.
The discovery was reported near a boat ramp in Coconut Grove, along Miami’s waterfront. Video and photographs shared online showed the dog below the water with cinder blocks nearby. Miami police said the department became aware Tuesday of a video depicting what it described as a suspected case of animal abuse and began following leads to determine the circumstances.
Police later made contact with a person investigators believed might be the dog’s owner, but authorities said they have not established that the person actually owned the animal. The individual was questioned and arrested on unrelated charges. Police have not released the person’s identity or details of those charges, and authorities have not said the person is responsible for what happened to the dog.
Young said he contacted a group of about 40 people who live aboard boats in the area in an effort to identify the animal. He said no one in the group recognized the dog. He also said he was told the animal did not have a microchip. Police had not publicly identified an owner as of Wednesday night.
The case has drawn responses from city officials. Miami Commissioner Damian Pardo, whose district includes the area, called the incident horrific and said he wanted whoever was responsible to be held accountable. Miami Mayor Eileen Higgins also described the incident as “cruel, disturbing and completely unacceptable” and said the city was in close communication with police as the investigation continued.
Despite the strong public reaction, several central questions remain unanswered. Investigators have not said whether they know when the dog was placed in the water, whether it was alive at that time or whether authorities have determined a cause of death. Police also have not identified a suspect or announced any animal cruelty charges.
Miami police said detectives are continuing to pursue leads and determine the circumstances surrounding the dog’s death. The department’s investigation remains open, with ownership of the animal and responsibility for the incident still unresolved.
Author note: Last updated October 14, 2026.