A Jensen Beach man is facing an animal cruelty charge after witnesses reported seeing him allegedly mistreating his 5-month-old puppy, which veterinarians later determined had been exposed to cocaine, according to a WPBF 25 News report by Angela Rozier.
Rozier reported from the Martin County Sheriff’s Office that the puppy, named Inga, remains in protective custody with the Humane Society of the Treasure Coast while detectives continue investigating what happened.
The suspect, identified by officials as 62-year-old John Sparhawk, was arrested after deputies obtained a warrant in the case, Martin County Sheriff John Budensiek said in the report.
Witnesses Said The Puppy Was Crying
Rozier reported that the sheriff’s office became involved after witnesses said they heard the puppy crying and saw Sparhawk allegedly holding the dog above his head while strangling it.
Casey Rosica, one of the witnesses, told WPBF that he ran over after hearing the commotion and saw a disturbing scene.
“I ran out of the truck, and I see a dog about six and a half feet in the air and it’s screaming for its life,” Rosica said.
Rosica said he confronted the man immediately.
“I said, ‘Hey, what are you doing with that dog?’ And he freaked out, he really didn’t know how to respond, and he drops the dog,” Rosica told Rozier.
The quote gives the case its most alarming moment because it shows how quickly a bystander’s reaction may have changed what was happening to the animal. Without that interruption, it is hard to know how much longer the puppy might have been held that way.
The Owner Claimed The Puppy Was Having A Seizure
According to Rozier, Sparhawk reportedly told neighbors that Inga was suffering from a seizure and asked them to take the puppy to a hospital.
The Humane Society confirmed that Inga was taken to an emergency veterinary hospital after the incident.
Budensiek said the dog’s condition raised immediate concern.
“The dog’s pupils were blown,” Budensiek said, comparing them to what might be seen in a human being under similar circumstances.
Rozier reported that veterinarians later determined the puppy’s medical episode was caused by cocaine exposure. Investigators said the symptoms were consistent with cocaine intoxication, not simply something vague or unknown.
Sparhawk told detectives that the puppy may have eaten something bad in the woods, but veterinarians confirmed the animal’s condition matched cocaine exposure, according to the report.
That is one of the more troubling parts of the case because a puppy cannot explain what happened, where it found something, or how it became intoxicated. Investigators are left to piece together the scene through witness statements, veterinary findings, and the owner’s account.
Sheriff Says The Dog Was “Highly Intoxicated”
Budensiek was careful not to accuse Sparhawk of a specific method of exposing the puppy to cocaine, but he said the medical facts were clear.
“I’m not sitting here saying the dog stole his stash or it was his stash at all or that he injected the dog with cocaine,” Budensiek said. “I’m just simply telling you that the dog was highly intoxicated on cocaine.”
That distinction matters because the investigation is still ongoing, and officials have not publicly said exactly how Inga was exposed.
Still, the sheriff’s statement made clear that this was not a minor or uncertain medical finding. Authorities believe the puppy had cocaine in its system at a level serious enough to trigger a medical episode.
For an animal as young as Inga, that kind of exposure is especially concerning. A 5-month-old puppy is still small, developing, and completely dependent on people for safety, which makes the allegations in this case feel even more disturbing.
Rozier reported that the sheriff’s office shared a photo of Inga as part of the case, and officials said the dog is now safe in protective custody.
Humane Society Workers Were Later Threatened, Sheriff Says
The case did not end with the emergency veterinary visit.
Rozier reported that deputies were later called to the Humane Society after Sparhawk showed up there. Budensiek said Sparhawk was “showing out a little bit” and threatening workers.
“He was there yesterday kind of showing out a little bit, threatening the workers at the Humane Society,” Budensiek told WPBF. “Our deputies responded out there, trespassed him, and he cannot go back on their property.”
The sheriff said the puppy is safe at the Humane Society, and Sparhawk was arrested because deputies had a warrant for him.
That development adds another layer to the case because the shelter was not only caring for the puppy, but also had to deal with the suspect allegedly coming to the property and threatening staff.
Humane Society workers are often the people left to handle the aftermath in animal cruelty cases, caring for frightened or injured animals while law enforcement works through the criminal investigation. Inga’s protective custody means the puppy is away from the scene, but the case itself remains active.
A Case That Raises Bigger Questions About Animal Safety
Rozier’s report did not say how long Inga may remain with the Humane Society, but officials made clear that detectives are still trying to determine what happened.
Sparhawk was taken into custody and later released, according to the report.
The cruelty charge is tied to the alleged treatment of the puppy, while the cocaine exposure remains a central part of the investigation. Budensiek’s comments suggest authorities are still trying to sort out whether the exposure was accidental, negligent, or something more direct.
Cases like this are difficult because the victim is an animal that cannot testify, yet the evidence can still be powerful. Witnesses described hearing the puppy’s cries, veterinarians identified symptoms consistent with cocaine intoxication, and deputies later took steps to keep the owner away from the Humane Society property.
There is also a wider issue here about pets living in homes or environments where drugs may be present. Animals can ingest substances from floors, bags, trash, clothing, or surfaces, and because they are smaller than people, exposure that might seem limited can become dangerous quickly.
Whatever investigators determine about how Inga was exposed, the case shows how fast a pet can become medically vulnerable when drugs are within reach.
Inga Remains In Protective Custody
For now, Rozier reported, Inga remains with the Humane Society in Martin County as detectives continue the investigation.
Budensiek said the dog is safe, and deputies have barred Sparhawk from returning to the Humane Society property.
The report leaves several questions unanswered, including exactly how the cocaine exposure occurred and what prosecutors may decide as the case moves forward. But the basic outline is already troubling: witnesses said they saw a puppy being mistreated, veterinarians later determined the dog was intoxicated on cocaine, and the owner is now facing an animal cruelty charge.
The most important immediate detail is that Inga survived and is no longer in the owner’s custody.
For investigators, the next step is determining how the puppy was exposed and whether additional action is needed. For the public, the case is another reminder that animal cruelty investigations often begin because someone nearby hears or sees something and decides not to ignore it.
Ed spent his childhood in the backwoods of Maine, where harsh winters taught him the value of survival skills. With a background in bushcraft and off-grid living, Ed has honed his expertise in fire-making, hunting, and wild foraging. He writes from personal experience, sharing practical tips and hands-on techniques to thrive in any outdoor environment. Whether it’s primitive camping or full-scale survival, Ed’s advice is grounded in real-life challenges.
