Police: man shot, killed his dog and then dumped its body

Photos released by Cranston Police and the RISPCA depict Anthony Devone and the dog, Moses he is charged with killing.

CRANSTON, R.I. (AP) — A Rhode Island man is facing charges that he shot and killed his dog and then dumped the body.

Cranston police said Friday that Anthony Devone, 37, shot his family’s 18-month-old, male Bully mix dog in the head earlier this week.

They say he wrapped its body in a blanket and left it near a dumpster in a parking lot, where it was later discovered.

Police say the dog had a chip in his collar that led them to Devone’s house. During a search, officers found a stolen .22 caliber pistol.

It’s couldn’t be immediately determined if Devone has a lawyer. But WLNE-TV reports he told officers he shot the dog because he didn’t feel safe having it around his children.

Devone is charged with malicious killing of an animal, possession of a stolen firearm by a convicted felon and firing in a compact area.

He was arraigned Friday and released on $20,000 bail. He’s due back in court in June and is barred from having any animals in his care in the meantime.