St. Pete Man Attacked, Killed His 7-Year-Old Dog: Sheriff

ST. PETERSBURG, FL — A St. Petersburg man was arrested Saturday after attacking and killing his 7-year-old chihuahua, Sheba, authorities said.

Christopher Howard, 35, was charged with felony cruelty to animals, the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office said in a news release.

Deputies responded to a verbal domestic disturbance on 78th Street just before 3 p.m.

When deputies arrived, they found the dog dead outside the home.

Investigators learned that Howard had a designated bedroom where Sheba wasn’t allowed.

When Sheba entered the bedroom, Howard kicked her across the room, the sheriff’s office said. He then picked her up by the neck and threw her toward the front door before forcibly hitting the dog with a chair across the neck and back.

Then, Howard picked up Sheva by the neck again and dropped her on the ground outside, the sheriff’s office said.