CRANSTON, R.I. (AP) — A Rhode Island man is facing charges that he shot and killed his dog and then dumped the body.
Cranston police said Friday that Anthony Devone, 37, shot his family’s 18-month-old, male Bully mix dog in the head earlier this week.
They say he wrapped its body in a blanket and left it near a dumpster in a parking lot, where it was later discovered.
Police say the dog had a chip in his collar that led them to Devone’s house. During a search, officers found a stolen .22 caliber pistol.
It’s couldn’t be immediately determined if Devone has a lawyer. But WLNE-TV reports he told officers he shot the dog because he didn’t feel safe having it around his children.
Devone is charged with malicious killing of an animal, possession of a stolen firearm by a convicted felon and firing in a compact area.
He was arraigned Friday and released on $20,000 bail. He’s due back in court in June and is barred from having any animals in his care in the meantime.
