Protective Pit Bull Jumps in to Shield Girl, 15, from Man — Who Then Allegedly Hurls Dog from Balcony By Sean Neumann

Police say a Florida man threw a dog off a second-floor balcony after the pit bull jumped in to protect a 15-year-old girl he was allegedly attacking at her home.

The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office said in a news release this week that Nigel Alexander Myers was arrested on the night of Monday, Sept. 29, after police responded to the home following a report about the animal being injured.

Myers, 44, has been charged with aggravated animal cruelty, domestic battery, child abuse as well as lewd and lascivious conduct, police said.

The incident began when, according to investigators with the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office, Myers allegedly “followed a 15-year-old victim into a bedroom of the home.”

“The victim was able to leave the bedroom; however, Myers followed her into the living room and continued trying to get her back into the bedroom,” police said. “During this altercation, a 3-year-old pit bull named Sparta approached Myers and began jumping on him in a protective manner.”

Police alleged that Myers then picked up the 3-year-old pit bull “and threw him against the top compartment of a dog cage.”

“Shortly after, Myers picked up Sparta by his two hind legs and threw him off the second-floor balcony of the residence,” police said. “Sparta was transported to a nearby animal hospital with serious injuries but is expected to survive.”

Myers remains in custody on the felony charges as of Thursday morning, according to Pinellas County Jail records reviewed by PEOPLE.

Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office said an investigation into the incident is ongoing.

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