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PORT ORANGE, FL – DeLand man shot and killed his fiancée’s two dogs, a Dachshund, and a Catahoula mixed breed after he got into an argument with her. After he killed one dog, he forced her sixteen-year-old son to shoot and kill the other dog. Police said the man is now facing charges including felony animal cruelty and child abuse.
William Petty, 49, of DeLand, was arrested Sunday afternoon in Port Orange, a day after the Saturday incident in the Daytona Park Estates area of DeLand. Deputies responded around noon Saturday after the 16-year-old told his mother what happened. He said he was at Petty’s home in DeLand over the weekend, and after Petty got into an argument with his fiancée, Petty loaded up two of their dogs (a female Catahoula mix and a male Dachshund) and drove them to a wooded area off the 1400 block of 12th Avenue, DeLand.
There, Petty pulled out a revolver and shot the female Catahoula mix in the head. Petty then handed the gun to the 16-year-old, telling him to do the same to the second dog. The 16-year-old shot at the ground instead. Petty took back the gun and shot the Dachshund in the head, then tossed both dogs into the woods.
Deputies retrieved the dogs and consulted with Volusia County Animal Services officers, who took custody of both deceased animals.
The dogs’ owner confirmed neither dog had any illnesses or ailments that would have called for them to be euthanized. Petty was not immediately located, but a warrant was issued for his arrest before he was located in Port Orange on Sunday.
He was charged with two counts of felony cruelty to animals, two counts of unlawful disposal of a dead domestic animal, child abuse and carrying a concealed weapon in the commission of a felony. He was still in custody without bond Monday morning at the Volusia County Branch Jail. Please report animal cruelty to the Sheriff’s Office at 386-248-1777 or 911 in an emergency, or contact Volusia County Animal Services directly at 386-248-1790.