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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Next steps: An animal control official reported a necropsy would be done to determine the dog\u2019s cause of death and whether it was dead prior to or after being put in the water.<\/p>\n
Court proceeding: Probation given in reported ‘appalling’ St. Lucie County child treatment case<\/a><\/p>\n Sentencing: Florida man ‘hunting’ murder victim ‘like an animal’ in Fort Pierce, prosecutor said<\/a><\/p>\n Arrest: A microchip was found and the dog\u2019s registered owner contacted. She said she thought her son, Evan Pavone, 19, of Port St. Lucie, was responsible. She said he has \u201cmental health issues,\u201d the affidavit states.<\/p>\n She said Pavone \u201ctold her he wanted the dog to stop barking and that he took the dog to River Park Marina,\u201d an affidavit states.<\/p>\n Bond: A St. Lucie County Sheriff\u2019s 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\u2019s website.<\/p>\n Will Greenlee<\/a>\u00a0is a breaking news reporter for TCPalm. Follow Will on X\u00a0@OffTheBeatTweet<\/a>\u00a0or reach him by phone at 772-267-7926. E-mail him at\u00a0will.greenlee@tcpalm.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Florida man jailed after dead Chihuahua found in backpack<\/a><\/p>\n