A man who felt tired and underappreciated by his family took out his frustrations on his sister's miniature toy poodle by killing it, according to the St. Lucie County Sheriff's Office.
Rashaun Eric Ray, 20, stole the animal, slammed it into concrete several times and then threw it into a canal, the sheriff's office said.
When questioned by deputies he showed no remorse, according to the sheriff's office.
“Actions like this sicken me. Family pets are just as worthy of protection and care as any other being. I consider them just as vulnerable as our seniors and our children and have instilled in our deputies to be the voice and an advocate for them whenever abuse or neglect is evident,” St. Lucie County Sheriff Ken Mascara said in a statement.
Deputies arrested Ray for grand theft, destruction of evidence, cruelty to animals and violation of probation.
He's being held without bail in the St. Lucie County Jail.
