A man was jailed March 2 after a dead Chihuahua was found in a backpack with a dumbbell in the St. Lucie River, an affidavit states.
What happened: After being flagged down by a man, a county maintenance worker at River Park Marina on East Prima Vista Boulevard on March 2 pulled a backpack from the river. The backpack was opened, and a dead Chihuahua in a plastic bag and a 25-pound dumbbell were inside.
Next steps: An animal control official reported a necropsy would be done to determine the dog’s cause of death and whether it was dead prior to or after being put in the water.
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Arrest: A microchip was found and the dog’s registered owner contacted. She said she thought her son, Evan Pavone, 19, of Port St. Lucie, was responsible. She said he has “mental health issues,” the affidavit states.
She said Pavone “told her he wanted the dog to stop barking and that he took the dog to River Park Marina,” an affidavit states.
Bond: A St. Lucie County Sheriff’s deputy arrested Pavone on a felony animal cruelty charge. He was held March 5 in the St. Lucie County Jail on $15,000 bond, according to the sheriff’s website.
Will Greenlee is a breaking news reporter for TCPalm. Follow Will on X @OffTheBeatTweet or reach him by phone at 772-267-7926. E-mail him at will.greenlee@tcpalm.com.
This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Florida man jailed after dead Chihuahua found in backpack