SEPTEMBER 3--A 46-year-old employee wearing an inflatable dog costume outside a Florida puppy store allegedly strangled a bike-riding juvenile with whom he had an ongoing dispute, according to court records.
Rodney Platthy, who works at Sunshine Puppies in Clearwater, was outside the business early Friday evening when “multiple juveniles rode by on bicycles.”
At the time, Platthy--a registered sex offender--was “wearing a ‘puppy suit’ costume,” cops reported. The business is adjacent to a busy roadway, and the costumed worker, a la a sign spinner, serves to attract the attention of passing motorists.
Investigators allege that Platthy, who had previously tangled with the young riders, “waved the juveniles over to him.” Platthy was joined outside by the puppy store proprietor.
As the owner was addressing the group, one of the juveniles sought to ride away. As the owner grabbed the bike’s handlebars “to prevent a collision with himself,” Platthy (seen at left) “approached the victim from behind and placed him in a chokehold.”
The male victim, whose age is not listed in court records, told police he was “unable to breathe for a brief period of time until the defendant released him seconds later. Officers were then contacted.”
Platthy was arrested for battery by strangulation, a felony. The defendant, according to an arrest affidavit, showed an “indication of alcohol influence” and refused to speak with cops.
After two days in the county jail, Platthy was freed upon posting $10,000 bond. A judge has ordered him to have no contact with the victim.
Platthy has an extensive criminal record, with multiple battery convictions, as well as convictions for burglary and drug possession. He spent six years in prison for a 2013 sexual battery case that resulted in his designation as a sex offender. Platthy returned to state custody in 2022 and spent about 30 months behind bars before getting released last October.
