BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. — WARNING: This story contains details related to animal cruelty. Reader discretion is advised.
A Florida man was arrested on several charges, including animal cruelty after he allegedly shot his dog to death because Hurricane Milton knocked out his power.
John Burgos is charged with shooting and throwing a missile into a dwelling, use of a firearm under the influence of alcohol and animal cruelty.
In a Facebook video, Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey said around 4 a.m. on Oct. 12, John Burgos was angry after Hurricane Milton knocked out the power in his home and FPL had yet to turn it back on.
Deputies claimed he started firing his gun in the house before shooting and killing his dog, named Flick.
"This one sickens me, folks," Ivey said in the video. "If that’s not bad enough, he doesn’t immediately call 911. He goes over to his neighbor’s house. He says he couldn’t find his phone. No surprise here, but alcohol was involved in this. He said he couldn’t find his phone, goes over to his neighbor’s calls 911 and tells them he thinks he shot his dog. No, you knew you shot your dog."
The sheriff added that Burgos returned to his porch and didn't try to aid his dog before deputies arrived.
Deputies and animal services found Flick covered in blood and "in distress" before rushing him to the hospital. The dog couldn't be saved and died from its injuries.
"Now, this individual is pissed off at FPL, so he shoots and kills his dog," Ivey said. "That makes total sense, right? Absolutely not. This guy deserves what he's about to get."
The sheriff went on to say that after Burgos was told his dog had died, he said "FPL made me do that."
"No, you're an idiot," Ivey said in the video. "That's what made you do this, not FPL."
