TEXARKANA, Ark. - A man accused of killing his family's pet in anger has been charged with aggravated animal cruelty in Miller County, Arkansas.
Johnathan Sherfey, 36, allegedly choked his family's dog May 25 at a house in the 1500 block of County Avenue, according to a probable cause affidavit. A family member of Sherfey's allegedly told Texarkana, Arkansas, police that he had been so agitated the day before that the rest of the family packed up shortly after midnight and rented a hotel room.
After returning home the following morning, the family found the canine dead and hidden beneath the coffee table. An officer who responded to the scene picked up the table and observed that a belt had been placed on the dog's purple collar and that the collar was twisted around his neck, strangling the animal.
At the time the report was made to police May 25, Sherfey's family allegedly told officers he suffers from mental illness.
If convicted of aggravated cruelty to a dog, cat or horse, Sherfey faces up to six years in prison and a fine up to $10,000.
Sherfey is currently being held in the Miller County jail with bail set at $25,000. He is scheduled to appear before a circuit judge in Miller County in July.