Introduction
A former Florida police officer has been charged with aggravated cruelty to animals after allegedly poisoning his ex-girlfriend’s three-year-old Maltese Poodle. The case, which has drawn strong reactions from law-enforcement officials and the victim’s family, highlights concerns about the conduct of officers outside the workplace.
At a Glance
- Former officer Edwin Campuzano was arrested on Jan. 16 for allegedly killing his ex-girlfriend’s dog.
- The dog, Milo, died on May 30, 2025 after a suspected poisoning.
- Evidence includes leftover food pellets and a credit-card purchase from Tractor Supply.
- Why it matters: The case raises questions about the responsibilities of law-enforcement officers and the safety of pets.
Arrest and Charges
On Jan. 16, Edwin Campuzano turned himself in to the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO). An arrest warrant had been issued following a report filed in Dec. 2025 that accused Campuzano of fatally poisoning his ex-girlfriend’s dog while she was on vacation.
The HCSO released a news statement indicating that Campuzano, 22, was charged with aggravated cruelty to animals. He is no longer employed by the Bartow Police Department.
The Alleged Crime
Milo, a three-year-old Maltese Poodle, was found dead on May 30, 2025. Paula Fernandez, the dog’s owner, learned of Milo’s death when a neighbor called her while she was away on a week-long vacation.
Fernandez described the moment she received the call:
“I’ll never forget that call. I’ll never forget that day,” she said at a press conference on Jan. 23. “I just felt my heart drop, and it just didn’t make sense because I made sure to say bye to him in the morning before our flight, and he was perfectly fine. He was happy.”
When Fernandez returned, she found an empty house, no sign of Milo, and blood on the floor near the door.
Evidence and Investigation
Sheriff Chad Chronister noted that Milo had been healthy with no medical issues before his death. Fernandez provided photos of leftover pellets from Milo’s food bowl, which she later discovered were a type of rodent poison.
She paid for a necropsy, and the veterinarian confirmed that Milo bled to death from poisoning. The HCSO’s investigation also uncovered a credit-card bill showing that Campuzano purchased poison from Tractor Supply just two days before Milo’s death.
Key Findings
- Rodent poison pellets found in food bowl
- Credit-card purchase of poison
- Necropsy confirming death by poisoning
Statements from Stakeholders
Fernandez expressed deep hurt and disbelief:
“At that time, I thought it was a sweet gesture, but now to know that he’s the one responsible for Milo’s death is a pain that I can’t even describe,” she said.
Sheriff Chronister criticized Campuzano’s conduct:
“Can you imagine someone’s state of mind to be that premeditated, that cruel, that deliberate to take the life of an animal and then at the same time want to comfort her and her family with flowers? Scary, I’m glad he was stopped now,” he said.
Chronister added that officers are held to a higher standard and that Campuzano’s actions reflected a serious failure of the values sworn to uphold.
Legal and Police Response
The HCSO has not released further comment as of Jan. 26. Campuzano faces a charge of aggravated cruelty to animals, a felony that can carry significant penalties if convicted.
The case has prompted discussions within the law-enforcement community about accountability and the potential for abuse of power.
Timeline of Events
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| Dec. 2025 | Report filed accusing Campuzano of poisoning Milo |
| May 30, 2025 | Milo found dead; Fernandez learns of death |
| Jan. 16 | Campuzano turns himself in to HCSO |
| Jan. 23 | Fernandez gives press conference |
| Jan. 26 | HCSO has not responded to additional inquiries |
Key Takeaways
- A former officer is charged with a serious animal cruelty offense.
- Evidence includes poison pellets and a credit-card purchase.
- The victim’s family and law-enforcement officials have publicly condemned the alleged actions.
- The case underscores the need for strict oversight of officers’ conduct.
Conclusion
The arrest of Edwin Campuzano and the subsequent investigation highlight the serious implications of animal cruelty cases involving law-enforcement officers. As the legal process unfolds, the community watches closely to see how accountability is enforced.
