The trial of a man accused of animal cruelty after his dog was found decapitated at Fort De Soto Park last year is underway. Pinellas County Sheriff's deputies were called to the park the night of May 14, 2024, after getting reports of a dead dog wrapped in a plastic bag. Deputies eventually came across a decapitated bulldog mix floating in the mangroves. Pinellas County Animal Services identified the dog as 4-year-old Dexter from a microchip. The suspect, 66-year-old Domingo R. Rodriguez, reportedly adopted Dexter from the shelter on May 10. Deputies questioned Rodriguez at his home, who said Dexter might have run away the same night as he was adopted, according to the sheriff's office. He reportedly admitted to traveling to the park on May 11, but deputies noted inconsistencies in his story before arresting him. Rodriguez is charged with animal cruelty and illegally disposing of a dead animal. Prosecutors and defense attorneys rested their cases on Thursday evening. Closing arguments are set to begin at 10 a.m. Friday. 10 Tampa Bay is streaming the trial on our free 10 Tampa Bay+ streaming platform, available on Roku, Amazon Fire and Apple TV. MORE: https://www.wtsp.com/article/news/crime/animal-cruelty-trial-dexter-the-dog-pinellas-domingo-rodriguez/67-99788321-7e9a-471f-858c-e12797af9b68