Zephyrhills Man Says He Shot Dog For Pooping In House

ZEPHYRHILLS, FL -- An 80-year-old Zephyrhills man has been charged with cruelty to animals after shooting a dog for pooping in his house.

The Pasco County Sheriff's Office was called to a home at 37631 Kossik Road in Zephyrhills just before 7 p.m. Sunday, June 10, after David Zayas reportedly shot a 13-year-old lab mix. He told deputies he shot the dog because it defecated on the floor.

Witnesses said they saw Zayas pull the trigger of a handgun and then heard the dog yelp and fall to the ground. The dog belongs to Zayas' daughter who told deputies that her father "hates her dog."

front of him. Deputies say Zayas told them he did it because it had pooped on the floor inside the house.

When deputies told Zayas it was against the law to shoot a dog, Zayas responded, "not where I'm from. It's totally legal in Connecticut."

Deputies found Zayas' handgun in his garden behind his house.

Zayas was taken to the Land O' Lakes Detention Center in lieu of a $5,000 bond.

The dog was taken to an emergency veterinarian for treatment.

Image via Pasco Sheriff