ORLANDO, Fla. – An Orlando man is facing animal-cruelty charges after being accused of abandoning a dog in a home after an eviction, according to an arrest-warrant affidavit.
Benjamin Rojas, 34, is accused of aggravated animal cruelty and multiple misdemeanor animal neglect-related offenses tied to a Sept. 9, 2025, incident at a home in the 2400 block of Dellwood Drive, the affidavit states.
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Orange County Animal Services received a call about a black Great Dane mix described as old and unable to walk properly that was left inside a bedroom after the owner was evicted, according to the affidavit. An animal-services officer responded to the address and reported a strong smell of urine, piles of feces, and bowls with some food but an empty water bowl.
The dog was extremely underweight and had trouble standing, according to the affidavit. Animal services supervisors advised the officer to contact the Orlando Police Department because the situation appeared to be an animal-cruelty case.
The dog was taken to Orange County Animal Services for treatment and clinic paperwork noted the dog had a “copious amount of fleas.”
Orlando police said they were able to link Rojas to the dog and the address through a prior animal-services incident, mail found at the home, and statements indicating Rojas owned the dog.
Rojas was arrested on Tuesday and taken to the Orange County jail where he faces a charge of felony aggravated animal cruelty and misdemeanor charges including confinement of animals without food/water, confinement without exercise/air, abandonment of animals, and abandonment of sick animals.