A Volusia County man was arrested and charged Saturday after beating his dog to death, deputies said.
A neighbor told deputies at 12:18 a.m. that he suspected Travis Archer, 43, of Ponce Inlet, of beating his dog because he heard the dog’s yelps, investigators said.
Deputies said they went to the home and saw Archer punching a dog in the backyard.
Archer told deputies that his 9-month old Labrador had bitten him on the hands after he disciplined the dog for making a mess in the house, investigators said. Deputies said Archer had a small laceration, possibly from the dog bite, on his right hand.
Deputies 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.
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