Businessman arrested over alleged killing of dog on golf course
Police in Puerto Rico have arrested a New York businessman over the shooting and killing of a dog that had stolen his ball on a golf course at a well-known resort.
Police identified the man as Salil Zaveri, saying the shooting occurred on Saturday at the Wyndham Grand Rio Mar Resort in the north coastal town of Río Grande.
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Authorities said Zaveri used a 9mm gun to shoot the dog several times.
The incident allegedly occurred on the 17th hole, before Zaveri was arrested on the 18th hole.
He was subsequently charged with three counts, including aggravated animal abuse.
Zaveri was released on US$60,000 bond, but his passport and driver’s license have been seized.
“Thank you to MY police officers, who today were the voice of justice of a puppy, whom an unscrupulous, killed viciously, for no reason and in a clear disregard for life,” police commissioner Antonio Lopez Figueroa said in a statement.
Zaveri is a sales and marketing consultant and the CEO of Zaveri Consulting, LLC.
According to witnesses, the 59-year-old became enraged when the dog took his ball.
"This man does not deserve to touch another course in Puerto Rico," one witness said.
"Just like he pulls out a gun to kill a dog, he can pull it out to kill a golfer."
JUST IN: A Puerto Rico judge has set bail at $60,000 for the U.S. businessman/golfer who allegedly shot dead a dog on a P.R. golf course.
Salil Zaveri is expected to bond out, soon. He was ordered to wear an ankle monitor & surrender his passport & drivers license to the court. https://t.co/OqUTDd01C5 pic.twitter.com/GZS4GrqayZ— David Begnaud (@DavidBegnaud) May 9, 2021
Salil Zaveri claims self defence
But Zaveri has since told NY Daily Newshe shot the dog in self defence, saying the dog actually took his friend’s ball before chasing him and attempting to get in his cart.
“I took the first shot when the dog was less than 10 feet away," Zaveri said.
"The dog rolled over but may have died slowly so I got out of the cart and took two more shots out of mercy."
NEW: The Puerto Rico resident who shot & killed a dog on a golf course on the island IS licensed to carry on the island, according to a police spokeswoman. The suspect, @SalilZaveri has reportedly said the dog was trying to attack him. Eyewitnesses told police: that’s not true. pic.twitter.com/KZIQXGDS1s
— David Begnaud (@DavidBegnaud) May 9, 2021
According to local media, Zaveri has been living in Puerto Rico since 2015.
Lead prosecutor in the case, Gabriel Redondo said dogs had been allowed onto the course to chase iguanas.
"What they tell us is that they were barking and that at one point, it seems that the ball ran a little and the puppy went and caught it," Redondo said.
"He was walking with a gun on his ankle. He pulled it out, went and shot her twice."
Zaveri is expected to appear in court on May 19.
He shot the poor dog twice with a 9mm Glock as it tried to fetch his golf ball, took his next swing at the ball, and then shot the dog AGAIN. What an utter monster.
— Anne Margaret Daniel (@venetianblonde) May 11, 2021
The answer is no .. killing a dog in cold blood for no reason is a million times worse
— SHR3D (@SHR3D) May 10, 2021
The dog is probably still wondering why it was shot. It was just chasing a ball. That's a game.
I saw too much of shit like this when I worked in animal rescue. This is why I really don't like (most) people any more.— Anne Donovan (@tango793_anne) May 9, 2021
HORRIFIC! He is not Puerto Rican! They would never do this to an animal!
— Diane Pereira Vazquez (@dpvDiane) May 9, 2021
with Associated Press
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