Tampa Man Arrested in Chihuahua's Death

Tampa Police arrested Christopher Malone, 37, on May 12 and charged him with aggravated cruelty to animals in the death of a family's six-year-old Chihuahua.

Officers responded to a residence in the 3100 block of West Cordelia Street on May 4 around 10 p.m. Investigators determined that Malone, while intoxicated, fatally injured the four-pound dog, named Rufus, after the animal walked past him. Hillsborough County Animal Control confirmed Rufus died from blunt force trauma.

Malone remains in custody at Orient Road Jail. Under Florida law, aggravated cruelty to animals is a third-degree felony punishable by up to five years in prison and a $10,000 fine.

Anyone with information about animal cruelty can contact Tampa Police at (813) 231-6130 or Crime Stoppers of Tampa Bay at 1-800-873-TIPS.