Pet prairie dog kicked to death during domestic dispute
Davie, FL (US)

Incident Date: Monday, Jul 18, 2011
County: Broward

Charges: Felony CTA
Disposition: Alleged

Alleged: Pedro Jonathan Godales

A pet prairie dog is dead and one of its owners, who wanted the rodent gone, was sitting in jail on Tuesday morning facing animal cruelty charges.

Pedro Godales, 26, of Davie, was arrested Monday after police said he tossed a cage containing two pet prairie dogs against a wall and, later, fatally kicking one of them.

According to an arrest report, Davie police officers were dispatched to Godales' home at the 4200 block of Southwest 63rd Avenue about 10 p.m. Monday for a domestic disturbance.

Godales' live-in girlfriend, who wasn't identified, told police that the fight was over the couple's two pet prairie dogs and a dog, according to the report.

The woman, who is three months pregnant, told police that Godales wanted the pets gone before the baby arrives. Godales, who works as a private security guard, wanted to get rid of the pets sooner, according to the report.

During the dispute, Godales reportedly picked up the cage with the two prairie dogs and threw it against the wall. One of the pets escaped the cage. Godales kicked the animal as it tried to make a run for it, according to the report.

The animal remained unconscious and twitching on its back legs for about two minutes before it died, police said.

The girlfriend told police that Godales then said "it got what it deserved" before fleeing the house. She also told police that Godales routinely punishes the pets by shooting at them with disinfectant spray.

On Tuesday, Godales appeared before Broward County Judge John "Jay" Hurley, who said he had to look up on Google to find out what a prairie dog was. Hurley described the pet "like a squirrel" and said the incident was not accident. Hurley set Godales' bond at $7,500.

As of Tuesday afternoon, Godales was still listed as being at Broward Main Jail.

References

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