Woman Who Fatally Threw Boyfriend's Pug From 7th Floor During Argument Jailed—Police

A woman in Florida who is accused of throwing a pug from a seventh-floor balcony to its death has been jailed, according to police

Clearwater officers were called to 880 Mandalay Avenue just before noon on Sunday after Eric Adeson said Shelley Vaughn, 46, whom he had been dating for several months, threw his pug off his seventh-floor balcony during an argument.

He also claimed Vaughn had thrown his cell phone and keys from the balcony and that she also struck him.

After police arrived, they found the 3-year-old pug, Bucky, dead on the pavement below the balcony.

In a Facebook post, shared on Monday, a Clearwater Police Department (CPD) spokesperson said: "Effort to locate Vaughn, who lives in the same condominium complex as the victim were unsuccessful on Sunday.

"She was located this afternoon and placed under arrest."

Detectives later charged Vaughn with aggravated animal cruelty as well as criminal mischief and domestic battery.

Following her arrest, Vaughn was booked into the Pinellas County jail.

Newsweek has contacted the CPD for comment.

According to legal firm Goldman Wetzel, the penalties for animal cruelty range depending on the severity of injuries or whether the animal was killed.

In Florida, it is a first-degree misdemeanor to treat an animal with cruelty or in an inhumane way.

The maximum prison sentence for aggravated animal cruelty is five years imprisonment, while the highest fine that can be given is $10,000.

Meanwhile, domestic battery is classed as a first-degree misdemeanor "with penalties that may include up to one year in jail or 12 months probation, and a $1,000 fine," according to legal firm Hussein and Webber.

Across the U.S. people have been arrested and charged on animal cruelty counts after being accused of killing pets.

In February, a woman in the state of New York was charged with animal cruelty after she allegedly killed a pet fish by pouring floor cleaner into its tank during an argument with her partner.

According to the Oneida County Sheriff's Office (OCSO) Amy Tennant, 43, got into an argument with her partner. Officers later said the domestic dispute was due to the couple's pet fish.

In a Facebook post, an OCSO spokesperson said: "The sheriff's office was investigating a reported domestic incident.

"During the deputies' investigation, it was determined Amy Tennant, 43, of Rome got into a verbal domestic with the victim.

"From the victim, the domestic incident was over the couple's pet fish. During the argument Amy became very upset and intentionally poured floor cleaner into the fish tank, killing the fish it contained."