Topline: Two Florida men were charged after investigators said a vest was left on a dog for months until it had to be cut from the animal’s body.
Published: July 15, 2026 12:30 pm ET
Randy Shaw
I cut my teeth in journalism when I began looking into what I saw as abuses of power in my local government. From then on, I was hooked on the dopamine rush of uncovering information.
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Adopted dog named Teddy (via Brevard County Sheriff's Office)
BREVARD COUNTY, FL — Two Palm Bay men have been arrested on felony animal-cruelty charges after investigators said they left a vest on their dog for more than seven months until it grew into the animal’s skin.
According to WSB-TV, Michael Borowski, 73, and Nestor Tomas Guanzon, 72, were arrested July 9 and each charged with cruelty to animals causing pain or suffering, a third-degree felony.
Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey said the men adopted a small dog named Teddy from the sheriff’s office Animal Care Center in September 2025, then put a vest on him in October and never removed it. When Borowski later tried to surrender the dog on May 12, shelter staff and responding officers discovered Teddy was in such pain that he could not be properly examined at the home.
Ivey said veterinarians found the vest had grown into Teddy’s skin and had to cut into the dog in order to remove the embedded fabric. The sheriff said the animal had a necrotic smell and condemned the bond amount as too low after both men were released on $10,000 bond.
The case has become a flashpoint because of the graphic condition investigators say Teddy was left in and because the allegations involve prolonged neglect after the dog had been adopted from an official county shelter.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
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Dog’s Vest Had to Be Cut Out of His Flesh After Months of Neglect, Sheriff Says
Two Florida men were charged after investigators said a vest was left on a dog for months until it had to be cut from the animal’s body.
By Randy Shaw
Published: July 15, 2026 12:30 pm ET
Adopted dog named Teddy (via Brevard County Sheriff's Office)
BREVARD COUNTY, FL — Two Palm Bay men have been arrested on felony animal-cruelty charges after investigators said they left a vest on their dog for more than seven months until it grew into the animal’s skin.
According to WSB-TV, Michael Borowski, 73, and Nestor Tomas Guanzon, 72, were arrested July 9 and each charged with cruelty to animals causing pain or suffering, a third-degree felony.
Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey said the men adopted a small dog named Teddy from the sheriff’s office Animal Care Center in September 2025, then put a vest on him in October and never removed it. When Borowski later tried to surrender the dog on May 12, shelter staff and responding officers discovered Teddy was in such pain that he could not be properly examined at the home.
Ivey said veterinarians found the vest had grown into Teddy’s skin and had to cut into the dog in order to remove the embedded fabric. The sheriff said the animal had a necrotic smell and condemned the bond amount as too low after both men were released on $10,000 bond.
The case has become a flashpoint because of the graphic condition investigators say Teddy was left in and because the allegations involve prolonged neglect after the dog had been adopted from an official county shelter.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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Editor Picks
Latest Articles
Dog’s Vest Had to Be Cut Out of His Flesh After Months of Neglect, Sheriff Says
Two Florida men were charged after investigators said a vest was left on a dog for months until it had to be cut from the animal’s body.
By Randy Shaw
Published: July 15, 2026 12:30 pm ET
Adopted dog named Teddy (via Brevard County Sheriff's Office)
BREVARD COUNTY, FL — Two Palm Bay men have been arrested on felony animal-cruelty charges after investigators said they left a vest on their dog for more than seven months until it grew into the animal’s skin.
According to WSB-TV, Michael Borowski, 73, and Nestor Tomas Guanzon, 72, were arrested July 9 and each charged with cruelty to animals causing pain or suffering, a third-degree felony.
Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey said the men adopted a small dog named Teddy from the sheriff’s office Animal Care Center in September 2025, then put a vest on him in October and never removed it. When Borowski later tried to surrender the dog on May 12, shelter staff and responding officers discovered Teddy was in such pain that he could not be properly examined at the home.
Ivey said veterinarians found the vest had grown into Teddy’s skin and had to cut into the dog in order to remove the embedded fabric. The sheriff said the animal had a necrotic smell and condemned the bond amount as too low after both men were released on $10,000 bond.
The case has become a flashpoint because of the graphic condition investigators say Teddy was left in and because the allegations involve prolonged neglect after the dog had been adopted from an official county shelter.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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