ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - A 3-year-old pit bull is recovering from serious injuries after a suspect threw him from a second-floor balcony in Pinellas County on Monday. Deputies said this happened while the dog was trying to protect a teen girl from the suspect, who was trying to get her alone in a bedroom.

The Pinellas County Sheriff's Office identified the suspect as Nigel Myers, 44, and he is now facing multiple charges , including aggravated animal cruelty, domestic battery, child abuse and lewd and lascivious conduct.

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What we know:

Deputies said they were called just before 7:15 p.m. on Monday to a home in unincorporated St. Petersburg after a report of animal abuse and lewd and lascivio

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