Volusia County man accused of beating dog to death, investigators say

VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. — A Volusia County man has been arrested and charged for beating his dog to death, Ponce Inlet Police announced on Saturday.

A neighbor told police Saturday at 12:18 a.m. that he suspected Travis Archer, 43, of Ponce Inlet, was beating his dog because he heard the dog’s yelps, investigators said.

Police said they went to the home on Aurora Avenue and saw Archer punching a dog in the backyard.

Archer told police that his dog had bitten him on the hands after he disciplined the dog for making a mess in the house, investigators said. Police said Archer had a small laceration, possibly from the dog bite, on his right hand.

Police went into the backyard and found the dog dead, gagged, and bleeding from his mouth. There were also blood stains on the fence, investigators said.

Archer said he threw the dog up against the wall in the house and then took him outside and hit the dog twice, investigators said.

Investigators also believe Archer used a tug rope that was knotted five times to hit the dog.

Archer was charged with aggravated animal cruelty.

Cox Media Group