A Florida HVAC technician is facing a felony animal cruelty charge after a dog-treat dispenser recorded him kicking a customer’s tiny Chihuahua, leaving the dog unconscious, according to Sanford Police.
The dog is Boomer, a 12-year-old Chihuahua who weighs about five pounds. His owner, Ryan Menzies, said the incident happened Aug. 24 while the family was away and Richardson Noel, 43, was at their Sanford home for an air-conditioning service call.
A motion-activated Furbo camera captured the encounter. In an Aug. 27 release, Sanford Police said Noel intentionally kicked the dog and left him unconscious for what the department described as a significant period of time. Police were notified about the incident on Aug. 26 and later arrested Noel on a charge of aggravated animal cruelty.
Noel’s employer subsequently revealed another part of the story. ELDante HVAC Services said Noel initially told the company that the dog had tried to bite him twice. Management then reviewed the recording for itself.
Caught on Camera
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The footage released by Sanford Police shows Noel entering the living area through a sliding door before kicking Boomer. The small dog falls to the floor and remains motionless. Noel later returns and uses his foot to touch the still-unresponsive dog before walking away again.
Menzies told News 6 that the Furbo sent a motion alert while the family was away at work. When the camera feed was checked, Boomer appeared to be having a seizure. Reviewing the earlier footage showed what had happened immediately beforehand.
Sanford Police Chief Cecil Smith focused on the fact that the alleged conduct happened inside a customer’s home after Noel had been allowed in to perform a service.
“The video is difficult to watch and shows the callousness of this individual,” Smith said.
His Version
ELDante HVAC Services did not limit its response to announcing that Noel had been fired.
In a statement published directly on the company’s website, ELDante said it questioned Noel after learning about the incident. According to the company, Noel’s initial explanation was that Boomer had attempted to bite him twice.
Management then watched the recording later that same day.
The company said it determined that Noel’s account “did not accurately reflect what had occurred” and terminated his employment that evening. ELDante also said Noel had previously described having negative experiences with dogs, but the company said that did not justify what happened inside the home.
There was another company rule at issue before the kick ever occurred.
ELDante says technicians are not permitted to enter a property when unattended pets or minors are present. Under its policy, Noel should have contacted a supervisor rather than proceeding on his own. The company called his decision to enter a serious violation of its safety protocol.
The owners, meanwhile, believed their pets had been put away. WESH 2 reported that Boomer and the family’s other dog were supposed to be secured in another room while the owners were away.
ELDante said it apologized to the family, offered assistance, and was cooperating with the criminal investigation.
Boomer Comes Home
Boomer survived the encounter.
Menzies told FOX 35 that a veterinarian found no broken bones. The family was told Boomer could have internal bruising, however.
He was able to return home, where Menzies said the Chihuahua was eating treats, resting, and beginning to become playful again.
The family is not assuming that the absence of a broken bone means the medical questions are over.
Menzies has since created a fundraiser for Boomer, saying the dog lost consciousness and suffered a seizure after being kicked in the head. The family wants additional imaging to check for injuries that would not necessarily appear on an X-ray.
A Felony Charge
Sanford Police arrested Noel on Aug. 27 for aggravated animal cruelty.
Under Florida law, aggravated animal cruelty includes intentionally committing an act that causes an animal’s cruel death or the excessive or repeated infliction of unnecessary pain or suffering.
It is a third-degree felony. Florida’s general felony sentencing law allows up to five years in prison for a third-degree felony, while the animal-cruelty statute permits a fine of as much as $10,000.
The consequences can extend beyond a sentence. A court may prohibit someone convicted under the cruelty statute from owning, possessing, keeping, or having custody or control of an animal for a period determined by the court.
Florida has also expanded the public consequences of an animal-cruelty conviction. Under the state’s 2026 law, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement must establish a searchable database by Jan. 1, 2027 containing identifying information about people convicted of animal cruelty offenses. A first felony conviction is to remain listed for five years.
Noel has been charged with aggravated animal cruelty. The charge remains an allegation unless and until it results in a conviction.