A St. Petersburg man was arrested Saturday afternoon and charged with felony animal cruelty after deputies found a deceased dog outside a residence during a domestic disturbance call.
According to the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office, deputies assigned to the Patrol Operations Bureau responded at approximately 2:56 p.m. on March 14, 2026, to 5235 78th Street North following a report of a verbal domestic disturbance.
When deputies arrived, they located a deceased 7-year-old Chihuahua mix named Sheba outside the residence.
During their investigation, deputies learned that 35-year-old Christopher Howard had a designated bedroom in the home where the dog was not allowed. Investigators said that when the dog entered the bedroom, Howard kicked the animal across the room.
Authorities said Howard then picked the dog up by the neck and threw her toward the front doorway before striking her with a chair across the neck and back. Investigators said he then picked the dog up by the neck again and dropped her on the ground outside the residence.
Deputies arrested Howard and charged him with one count of felony cruelty to animals. He was transported to the Pinellas County Jail.
The investigation remains ongoing.