MANATEE CO., FL (WWSB) - Deputies with the Manatee County Sheriff's Office arrested a Bradenton man on animal cruelty charges.
At around 4 a.m. Thursday, deputies responded to "suspicious circumstances" at 4804 19th St. W in Bradenton. Once deputies arrived on scene, they found that a man had killed his dog, a 3-year-old Pit Bull.
The resident of the home was concerned after being approached by the suspect who asked him for a shovel to bury his dog with because he did not want to take it to the pound.
The suspect said that he could not keep the dog because animals were not allowed where he was temporarily living. Instead of shooting the animal, which he stated was "what people did where he was from", he heated up a kitchen knife and stabbed the dog three or four times.
Deputies on the scene observed that the dog had numerous wounds to its neck and body.
Joshua Cox, 19, was arrested and charged with animal cruelty and possession of marijuana.
