Florida Man Arrested After Fight Over Dog Poop

LEESBURG, Fla. — A Lake County man was arrested over the weekend after deputies said a dispute with a neighbor over dog feces escalated into a physical confrontation.

Lake County Sheriff’s deputies arrested Trey Decloedt in Leesburg after responding to the dispute. Authorities said the confrontation stemmed from Decloedt’s complaints that his neighbor was not cleaning up after his dogs.

In body-camera footage, Decloedt told deputies he had previously complained about dogs defecating in his yard and had spoken to the neighbor’s partner about cleaning it up. He said that when the feces remained several hours later, he moved it to the edge of the neighbor’s driveway.

The neighbor gave deputies a different account. He alleged that Decloedt opened the door to his home while holding the feces, yelled at him and then threw it, striking him.

According to an arrest affidavit, a physical fight followed as the neighbor attempted to get Decloedt off his property. Deputies said Decloedt struck the man in the head before grabbing a scooter, raising it over his head and threatening him.

Decloedt told deputies that the two neighbors previously had an understanding that allowed them to enter each other’s homes without knocking. He also claimed the neighbor shoved him first when he attempted to discuss the dog issue, leading to the fight.

“There’s two sides to this story,” Decloedt told responding deputies, pointing to scratches on his neck. However, investigators said the neighbor produced a recording of a message he had sent Decloedt stating that Decloedt was no longer welcome inside his home.

Decloedt was arrested on charges of burglary with battery, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and simple battery.