Woman who put starving Miami dog on TikTok is adopting pet she helped rescue

A disturbing video viewed more than a million times on TikTok has led to the arrest of a Miami man on animal cruelty charges and the rescue of a malnourished French bulldog.

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The video, captured by Rosalicia Bernal, showed the dog surrounded by waste on a balcony at the ParkLine condos at 100 NW Sixth St.

“I need help. The dog is not safe,” Bernal said in the video. She added that seeing the animal in that situation left her feeling “terrible, bad, broken-hearted, confused.”

The video caught the attention of Caterina Balzano, who joined Bernal in advocating for the animal. Both women contacted police, prompting officers and animal control to intervene and transport the dog for medical treatment.

Police arrested the dog’s owner, 27-year-old Kevin Benjamin, on charges of animal cruelty. He couldn’t be reached for comment.

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According to Benjamin’s arrest report, the dog’s ribs and spine were visibly prominent through its skin, which appeared loose. Officers noted no readily accessible food or water for the animal.

“When it comes to safety, not only for human beings but for our furry friends, we take this seriously,” Miami Police Chief Edwin Lopez said. “We were able to salvage one animal, and the community coming together in this magnitude, for us, was very fruitful.”

On Monday, a city of Miami news briefing on the issue addressed community action and recognized the women for their efforts to save the dog.

“If the community collectively — the Miami community — moved the way they did on Friday, we would all have a city that’s much closer to what we all dream of seeing in Miami,” Balzano said.

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The dog is getting medical care and is set to be adopted by Bernal.

“Adoption — approved! It’s my baby!” Bernal said.

She plans to rename the dog and pick it up from the veterinarian on Oct. 10.

This report was produced by Miami Herald partner CBS News Miami.