On July 25, 2026, at approximately 6:49 p.m., DeLand Police officers responded to S. Hill Avenue for a civil complaint. 

Upon arrival, an individual told officers they believed Christopher Whitley (45) was violating a protection order and had been abusing his dog. 

While reviewing surveillance footage related to the protection order complaint, officers found video from earlier that day, around 1 p.m., showing Whitley grabbing his dog by the collar, swinging the dog in the air, and throwing it to the ground.

Whitley was arrested and charged with animal cruelty. The dog showed no visible injuries, and was taken to the DeLand Police Department’s kennels after no one on scene could take custody of the dog.

Video evidence also led investigators to charge Whitley with violating a protection order.