Man, 19, Cuffed After Allegedly Stabbing To Death His Pit Bull

BRADENTON, FL – A 19-year-old Bradenton man was arrested early this morning on suspicion of animal torture and cruelty after allegedly admitting to officers that he stabbed to death his pit bull so he would not have to take it to the pound, according to officials.

The Manatee County Sheriff’s Office responded at roughly 4 a.m. to a home on the 4800 block of 19th Street West in Bradenton after a nearby citizen called to report a neighbor "asked for a shovel so he could bury his dog he had just killed because he did not want to take it to the pound," files state.

Arriving deputies said the suspect, Joshua Cox, was sitting in a lawn chair in the backyard and asked authorities if they were "here about the dog," records said.

Cox purportedly told law enforcement that his parents brought his 3-year-old dog from North Carolina so he could spend time with the animal, but then its living arrangement with a nearby brother did not pan out as it was a possible lease violation, so he opted to kill the pup rather than surrender it to a shelter, files state.

"When it's time to put a dog down, he just shoots them," records said, "but being in the city limit, he could not shoot it."

Instead, according to deputies, Cox reportedly said he heated a kitchen knife, as it was a "thin knife," and proceeded to stab the dog three to four times in the neck and shoulder area.

Deputies said the dead dog was found in the rear yard with wounds to its neck and body.

During the initial questioning, deputies said the subject was patted down and found to be in possession of a plastic bag containing 8.2 grams of marijuana.

Cox was arrested and charged with suspicion of animal cruelty and possession of marijuana.

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--Image via Manatee County Sheriff’s Office