ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Pinellas County deputies arrested a man accused of animal cruelty after his dog was found decapitated Tuesday night at Fort De Soto Park.
Law enforcement arrived in the area of East Beach at the park after receiving reports of a dead dog wrapped in a plastic bag, according to the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office. Deputies eventually came across a decapitated bulldog mix floating in the mangroves.
Pinellas County Animal Services identified the dog as 4-year-old Dexter from a microchip. The suspect, 66-year-old Domingo R. Rodriguez, reportedly adopted Dexter from the shelter on May 10.
Deputies questioned Rodriguez at his home, who said Dexter might have run away the same night as he was adopted, according to the sheriff's office. He reportedly admitted to traveling to the park on May 11, but deputies noted inconsistencies in his story before arresting him.
Rodriguez is charged with animal cruelty and illegally disposing of a dead animal. He has been booked into the Pinellas County Jail, and the sheriff's office says the investigation is ongoing.