SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. — A 22-year-old man is accused of strangling his girlfriend's dog Tuesday evening at a home near Oviedo, the Seminole County Sheriff's Office said.
Shortly after 9:15 p.m., Jason Fletcher reported that he had intentionally suffocated the dog of his "soon-to-be ex" several hours earlier at the home near McCulloch Road and Lockwood Boulevard, according to an arrest report.
Fletcher's girlfriend told a deputy that her pug, Nala, was crying, lethargic, having difficulty breathing and had a bloodied and swollen rectum, the report said.
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His girlfriend told the deputy that Fletcher has a history of hurting animals when he gets upset and has previously killed his ex-girlfriend's animals, according to the report.
Investigators said Fletcher admitted to the incident and was arrested on charges of animal cruelty.
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"Due to this suspect’s inability to control his temper, he inflicted significant pain and injury on a defenseless animal," said Bob Kealing, a Sheriff's Office spokesman. "As a result, he is facing serious felony charges."
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Fletcher is being held at the John E. Polk Correctional Facility in lieu of a $10,000 bail.
His court hearing is scheduled for 2 p.m. Wednesday.
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