 Fish killed with bleach during domestic dispute
Geneva, OH (US)Incident Date: Wednesday, Jun 20, 2007
County: Ashtabula
Disposition: Alleged
Charges: Misdemeanor
Alleged: Steven Pauley
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A Geneva man faces animal cruelty charges for killing his ex-girlfriend's aquarium fish with bleach and soap, and suspected of stealing personal property, Geneva police reports show.
Steven Pauley, 31, returned to the former couple's apartment on Austin Road Saturday to gather his belongings. While he was there, Pauley dumped cleanser and bleach into the aquarium, killing the fish, according to police reports.
"The water was foamy and smelled of bleach and the fish were floating on top," the police report reads.
Pauley said to the Star Beacon he killed the fish to make his ex-girlfriend angry.
"We bought the aquarium together, and I wanted to make her mad, so I killed the fish with floor cleaner," he said.
The fish owner also reported her personal property missing and alleges Pauley unplugged her refrigerator and cut the cord to her microwave, police say.
Pauley admits having killed the fish and cutting the microwave cord, but said he never meant to unplug the refrigerator.
"I pulled (the refrigerator) away from the wall to get some paperwork that fell behind it. I didn't mean to unplug it," he said, "I cut the cord on the microwave because that was my microwave. I don't need it, but I wasn't going to leave it there for her to use."
The sound system was returned, Pauley said. Other property is still missing, according to the police report.
Officers estimate the theft and damage at $440, including about $100 worth of groceries ruined in the warm refrigerator, police reports show.
Pauley was cited with animal cruelty, a second-degree misdemeanor, on June 20, Western County Court records show.
Pauley said he hopes to never see his ex-girlfriend again.
"I just want to clear up these (legal) issues and get on with my life," he said. References« OH State Animal Cruelty Map
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