Florida man faces animal cruelty charges after shooting and killing wife's Chihuahua

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Authorities say a man faces animal cruelty charges after killing his wife's 10-pound Chihuahua named Bently.

St. Petersburg police say Albert J. Proctor, 28, also threatened to shoot another dog Sunday night. He was released from jail on a $5,000 bond Monday.

Police say Proctor told them the dog was aggressive and went after a neighbor on Sunday.

The St. Petersburg Times reports that Proctor's wife, Sasha, told police her husband "grew up in the country" and thought it was OK to "shoot a dog."

According to a police report, Proctor initially intended to burn the dog's body, but his wife convinced him to bury it in the back yard.

Police spokesman Mike Puetz says Sasha Proctor said she was not afraid for the safety of herself or her children.