Woman in Hialeah Accused of Abusing Dog Captured on Elevator Security Footage

A resident of Hialeah has been taken into custody this week, facing serious allegations of animal cruelty with the intent to injure or kill. Surveillance cameras at the Metro Parc Apartments on East 26th Street caught her repeatedly striking a dog under her care.

The investigation was set in motion by chance when a tenant reported finding feces on a wall next to an elevator. This prompted a front desk employee to review security footage, identifying 42-year-old Miriam Yilian De La Rosa, a fellow resident.

Video evidence from September 16 shows at least three instances of abuse. Initially, De La Rosa is seen leaving the building with three dogs—two in a stroller and the foster dog on a leash. When the dog escaped its collar, she chased it down, grabbed it by the neck, and flipped it upside down by its legs.

A few minutes later, inside the building, cameras recorded her hitting the dog in the face around eight times without apparent provocation while walking it.

That same evening in the elevator, another incident unfolded. De La Rosa struck the dog approximately ten times in the face, held it by a front paw, and continued her assault as the dog urinated and defecated due to the blows.

Upon her arrest, De La Rosa told police she had been fostering the dog for about two months and claimed the animal had been previously abused.

During the initial court appearance, Miami-Dade Circuit Judge Mindy Glazer found probable cause, set bail at $7,500—$2,500 per charge—and ordered De La Rosa to stay away from the dog. As of late Friday, De La Rosa had not posted bail and remained in custody.

Miami-Dade Animal Services has taken charge of the three dogs to ensure their safety and conduct medical evaluations, although the agency could not confirm which foster program the abused dog was affiliated with.

Neighbors expressed outrage upon viewing the footage. Noelbis Delaroz, owner of a 14-year-old Chihuahua, remarked, "I treat my dog as family. I could never harm her for any reason. It's horrible for someone to mistreat an animal like that."

Ruben Pobada, who knew the accused, commented that he never saw her hit her animals before watching the videos: "I don't understand why people fight with dogs. If you have three dogs, it's because you love them. It's illogical. My dog is my child, my daughter."

The Hialeah Police Department declined an on-camera interview but issued a statement reaffirming their commitment to investigating animal cruelty cases and holding offenders accountable when evidence supports it.

Each of the three third-degree animal cruelty charges in Florida carries a potential maximum sentence of up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.

This case draws particular attention as the arrest coincides with the implementation of Florida's new animal cruelty law, HB 559, which establishes a public registry of offenders managed by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) and increases civil fines for repeat violations of local animal control ordinances up to $7,500.

This incident follows another recent arrest for animal cruelty in Miami. Kevin Alexander Benjamin, 27, was apprehended after a viral video showed a puppy abandoned on a luxury building's balcony, leading to over 100 reports to authorities and a third-degree felony charge.

Individuals who suspect animal abuse in Hialeah or Miami-Dade are encouraged to report it by calling 911 for immediate emergencies or 311 for non-urgent situations.