Ricky Lee Schieferstein, 68, of Port St. Lucie was arrested on Aug. 6 on an animal cruelty charge following the circulation of a video on social media that appeared to show the abuse of a small dog. Schieferstein was being held at the St. Lucie County Jail as of Aug. 7 on a $7,500 bond, according to the jail website.
The investigation began after numerous members of the community shared the video and tagged the St. Lucie County Sheriff's Office across its social media platforms, according to the sheriff's office Facebook posting. The information was then turned over to the sheriff's office criminal investigations division for investigation. Detective Dawn Dale developed probable cause through her investigation and obtained an arrest warrant to charge Schieferstein with animal cruelty.
In the 16-second video posted on the sheriff's office Facebook page with a viewer discretion warning, a man can be seen walking behind a dog at a concrete pool and yelling out, out, out ... in the grass several times and kicking the dog in its right hip at least once before the dog and the man went out of range.
The St. Lucie County Sheriff's Office stated in its Facebook posting that it appreciates the public's assistance in bringing this incident to its attention. However, the sheriff's office also reminded residents that the fastest and most effective way to report a crime in progress or suspicious activity is by calling 911. While the sheriff's office actively monitors its social media platforms, they are not monitored continuously and should never be relied upon to report emergencies or crimes requiring an immediate law enforcement response.