Lake County, Florida – A Florida teenager is accused of a horrific act of cruelty that claimed the life of his family’s pet dog. The 17-year-old allegedly tied his family’s retriever mix to a tree in a wooded area near his home, then used a katana-style sword to repeatedly slash the dog to death.

The teenager’s mother and step-father contacted the Lake County Sheriff’s Office on Sunday, November 7, to let them know that the boy had admitted to killing the family dog. According to the parents, the teenager had a “history of violence,” and they admitted to fearing for their safety, as well as for the safety of their other kids, and pets.

Responding deputies found a sword in the boy’s bedroom, hidden between the mattress and box-spring of his bed. The weapon still had blood and fur on it. The dog’s body was found in a wooded area not far from the family’s home. The deputy’s police report stated that the dog had died  “a very inhumane and cruel death.”

Deputies said that the dog’s body had multiple stab and slash wounds, and that part of the canine’s face was missing; the wounds were determined to be consistent with the sword that was found in the teenager’s bedroom.

The teenager, whose identity has not been publicly released due to his age, was booked into the Lake County Jail on a third-degree felony charge of aggravated animal cruelty. He was then transferred to the Lifestream Behavioral Center for involuntary commitment.

It goes without saying…this was an appalling act of cruelty. Not only does this young man need to pay for what he did, but he also needs mental help to prevent him from hurting anyone else. Please add your name to this petition as we fight for maximum punishment for the aggravated animal cruelty charge. We will also be demanding a full mental evaluation and requesting psychiatric help, in addition to a lifetime ban on pet ownership.

*Individuals are presumed innocent until being found guilty in a court of law.

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Update: Animal Victory has sent 20,543 signatures to Sheriff Peyton Grinnell and Sergeant Earl Ray.