Pug Thrown Off 7-Story Balcony To His Death in Clearwater

Clearwater FL

28 February, 2022

6:58 PM

Description

CLEARWATER, FL — A Clearwater woman was arrested and remains in Pinellas County Jail after Clearwater plice say she threw a 3-year-old pug off her the balcony of her seventh-floor condominium, killing it. Police were called to the Regatta Beach Club condominiums at 880 Mandalay Ave. shortly before noon on Sunday after receiving a call from Eric Adeson. Adeson told police that he had been dating 46-year-old Shelley Vaughn for several months. On Sunday, he said they'd gotten into an argument in his condominium. During the fight, he said Vaughn threw his 3-year-old pug, Bucky, off his seventh-floor balcony. The dog hit the pavement below and was killed. He said Vaughn also tossed his cell phone and keys off the balcony, and then scratched and struck him. The dog was found dead on the pavement below. Efforts to find Vaughn, who lives in the same condominium complex, were unsuccessful on Sunday. Police caught up with her Monday afternoon and arrested and charged her with aggravated animal cruelty, criminal mischief and domestic violence. Neighbors angry at the woman's blatant display of cruelty said any sentence Vaughn might receive from the courts would be too light. In a series of angry Facebook and Twitter posts, residents suggested that Vaughn be thrown off the seventh-floor balcony as well. "She needs to be thrown off of a balcony," tweeted Robyn Canady. "The pug had nothing to do with the argument. This is awful." There were other suggestions for a fitting punishment for Vaughn as well. The suggestions for punishment became progressively harsher and more creative after police posted the incident on its Facebook page, forcing the police department to turn off all comments to the post. Aggravated animal cruelty is defined as causing a cruel death or causing "excessive or repeated infliction of unnecessary pain or suffering" to an animal. It's a third-degree felony in Florida, punishable by a prison sentence of up to five years and a maximum fine of $10,000.