The St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office has arrested a man after finding two dead cats in a dumpster. According to the police report, investigators were called to an apartment complex on Bella Vista Way in Port St. Lucie last week in reference to a suspicious incident involving two dead cats put in a dumpster.When deputies arrived, they found the owner of the cats, who told them her boyfriend, Russell Hunter, had killed her cats and put them in the dumpster. However, the police report shows Hunter strongly denied harming the cats. Investigators noted no probable cause was found to make an arrest, and they left the scene. According to the probable cause statement, Hunter asked deputies to be dropped off at a rehabilitation facility. Shortly after dropping him off, deputies reported being called back to that facility in reference to Hunter making claims that he strangled one of the cats.Deputies spoke with the employee who reported the allegations and who told them Hunter admitted to him during an intake assessment that he strangled his girlfriend’s cat named Dean. According to the police report, Hunter told the employee he was playing with the cat, Dean, with his foot when Dean scratched him, then things went too far, and Hunter strangled Dean.During the initial interview with investigators at the scene, they say Hunter claimed the cat had died of “choking” on a hairball or food.The police report shows SLCSO investigators interviewed Hunter for a second time, where Hunter reportedly made several statements throughout the interview, alluding that Dean never liked him and that Dean would always hiss and growl at him inside the home. According to the arresting document, Hunter also said several times that he just wanted Dean to like him, and he could not understand why he didn’t.During the second interview, investigators say they were able to get a confession out of Hunter, claiming he told them he strangled Dean while they got into an altercation where Dean was scratching and biting at him. Your neighborhood: Local coverage from WPBF 25 NewsThe probable cause statement shows investigators found Dean was held down by Hunter firmly, and Hunter said Dean may have passed away due to his firm grip, possibly cutting off Dean’s airway until he died. According to investigators, after Hunter made the admission, he became visibly upset and began to cry. Court records show Hunter added in his written statement, “I don’t hate him, I miss him already.” SLCSO investigators brought the body to a veterinarian who reportedly found there was light blood pooling on Dean’s belly, blood on the back right toe, and bruising in the ears. The veterinarian noted that both eyes had the second eyelid covering them and said it is not normal for a natural death.Get the latest news updates with the WPBF 25 News app. You can download it here.Hunter was arrested on charges of animal cruelty, resulting in death, along with perjury. He is currently being held in the St. Lucie County jail on a $51,000 bond.
PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. —
The St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office has arrested a man after finding two dead cats in a dumpster.
According to the police report, investigators were called to an apartment complex on Bella Vista Way in Port St. Lucie last week in reference to a suspicious incident involving two dead cats put in a dumpster.
When deputies arrived, they found the owner of the cats, who told them her boyfriend, Russell Hunter, had killed her cats and put them in the dumpster. However, the police report shows Hunter strongly denied harming the cats.
Investigators noted no probable cause was found to make an arrest, and they left the scene.
According to the probable cause statement, Hunter asked deputies to be dropped off at a rehabilitation facility. Shortly after dropping him off, deputies reported being called back to that facility in reference to Hunter making claims that he strangled one of the cats.
Deputies spoke with the employee who reported the allegations and who told them Hunter admitted to him during an intake assessment that he strangled his girlfriend’s cat named Dean. According to the police report, Hunter told the employee he was playing with the cat, Dean, with his foot when Dean scratched him, then things went too far, and Hunter strangled Dean.
During the initial interview with investigators at the scene, they say Hunter claimed the cat had died of “choking” on a hairball or food.
The police report shows SLCSO investigators interviewed Hunter for a second time, where Hunter reportedly made several statements throughout the interview, alluding that Dean never liked him and that Dean would always hiss and growl at him inside the home.
According to the arresting document, Hunter also said several times that he just wanted Dean to like him, and he could not understand why he didn’t.
During the second interview, investigators say they were able to get a confession out of Hunter, claiming he told them he strangled Dean while they got into an altercation where Dean was scratching and biting at him.
Your neighborhood: Local coverage from WPBF 25 News
The probable cause statement shows investigators found Dean was held down by Hunter firmly, and Hunter said Dean may have passed away due to his firm grip, possibly cutting off Dean’s airway until he died.
According to investigators, after Hunter made the admission, he became visibly upset and began to cry. Court records show Hunter added in his written statement, “I don’t hate him, I miss him already.”
SLCSO investigators brought the body to a veterinarian who reportedly found there was light blood pooling on Dean’s belly, blood on the back right toe, and bruising in the ears. The veterinarian noted that both eyes had the second eyelid covering them and said it is not normal for a natural death.
Get the latest news updates with the WPBF 25 News app. You can download it here.
Hunter was arrested on charges of animal cruelty, resulting in death, along with perjury. He is currently being held in the St. Lucie County jail on a $51,000 bond.