Trainer arrested for animal cruelty and theft

Animal protection and control authorities received a video on March 21 showing a trainer hanging an animal on a leash.

The video showing the cruelty to the dog was provided by the owner of the dog training business where the animal care and control worker worked closely with the sheriff’s office on this complaint.

In the video, 21-year-old Blessing Knighten can be seen tugging on the leash to the point where the dog is standing on two legs. The woman is also seen repeatedly whipping and kicking two of the dogs as they cry.

Authorities, after analyzing the video, confirmed that there was enough evidence to press charges against the woman.

Captain David Walesky, of Palm Beach County Animal Care and Control, said: “In this case, we are looking at a situation where animals are being abused, and I’m so grateful to live in a county and be part of an organization that has zero tolerance for animal cruelty.”

“We greatly value the partnerships we have with law enforcement and value our relationship with the State’s Attorney’s Office. We all work closely together to ensure that crimes of animal cruelty do not have their place in our society,” said David Walesky.

According to the police report, the suspect said the owner of the dog training business told him to train the dogs this way, a claim the owner denies.

After being arrested on April 20 and released after posting $15,000 bond, Knighten was arrested two days later for theft and burglary of vacant property.

Blessing Knighten faces 5 counts of animal abuse and two counts of theft, and is now free again after posting $8,000 bond following his last arrest for theft.