Brooksville Man Charged With Killing Family Pet

On 08-13-15 at approximately 10:48 p.m., deputies responded to a home on High Corner Road in Brooksville in reference to the beating death of the family’s pet dachshund.

Deputies spoke to the dachshund’s owner, Thomas Niederhelman, who advised his son, Justin Niederhelman W/M DOB/10-11-1991, admitted to repeatedly striking the dachshund in the head with a flashlight. The 7-year-old dachshund eventually succumbed to its injuries.

Justin Niederhelman

Thomas Niederhelman told deputies that Justin attempted to hide the dog’s body by wrapping it in a blanket and hiding it in a bag of dog food. He then placed the bag outside.

During questioning, Justin Niederhelman denied being at the residence, however, Mary Niederhelman, confirmed her son had been at the residence earlier in the day.

Justin Niederhelman was previously arrested on 07-21-15 in reference to a felony domestic violence case involving his father. As a condition of his pre-trial release Justin was not to have contact with Thomas Niederhelman.

Justin was charged with one count of Animal Cruelty in addition to Violation of his Pre-Trial Release. Justin remains at the Hernando County Detention Facility where he’s being held on a no bond status in relation to the felony domestic battery charge.