A Boxer dog “suffered greatly” when killed allegedly at the hands of a 16-year-old family member Tuesday in Christiana, a Rutherford County Sheriff’s deputy said.

The boy was charged with aggravated animal cruelty for the death of the adult dog, said Deputy Laura Williams.

Deputies Williams and Trey Nunley responded to the boy’s home Wednesday where they found the deceased dog hidden inside a tub in a storage barn. They called the Pet Adoption Welfare Service to assist.

The dog suffered stab wounds, head trauma and bleeding, the deputy reported. “It was obvious that the dog suffered greatly,” Deputy Williams reported. When Deputy Williams asked the boy if he killed the dog, he lowered his head and said, “Yes,” she reported.

Sheriff Robert Arnold said the Sheriff’s Office takes these cases seriously. “We aggressively investigate incidents of animal cruelty,” Sheriff Arnold said.

Deputy Williams charged the boy and took to the Juvenile Detention Center to await a hearing in Juvenile Court.

Source:

Lisa Marchesoni
Public information officer
Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office