A Pasco County sheriff’s deputy was arrested on Wednesday for animal abuse after authorities allege he stomped on his girlfriend’s cat and killed it while she was away.
According to the Tampa Police Department, Sheriff’s Deputy Eric Harris became angry at his girlfriend’s two cats on August 21, after the felines defecated outside of their litter box and then jumped onto the counters and furniture in the home the deputy and his now ex-girlfriend shared.
The next day, when the girlfriend returned home, she found the cats hiding in their crates. The three-year-old cat named Axel had broken toenails on his rear paws that were bleeding, and he was not able to stand on his rear legs. The owner took Axel to a veterinarian where she was referred to an animal hospital for more treatment, but the cat died the next day.
Because of the cat’s severe injuries and the possibility of animal abuse, authorities were contacted. Harris denied harming the cat, however a necropsy performed by the Florida Department of Law and Enforcement, showed Axel had suffered severe hemorrhaging and bruising to his internal organs and had also suffered facial injuries including a broken tooth.
Markings on the cat’s body and fur indicated someone had stomped on him with their shoes causing blunt force trauma determined to have been the cat’s cause of death.
Harris faces one count of felony animal cruelty. He is no longer listed as employed at the Pasco Sheriff’s Office. If found guilty, he could face up to five years in prison and a $5,000 fine.
Rest in peace Axel.
Source: News19
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LOCK HIM UP.