TAMPA, Fla. — A man in Tampa is facing an aggravated animal cruelty charge after admitting to cutting off a puppy's ears because he saw it on the internet.
When deputies served a search warrant at the home of 22-year-old Michael Stocking they noticed a young puppy. They say its ears were oozing blood like they had recently been cut off.
Deputies also say the dog looked to have burn marks on the open wounds, an apparent attempt to cauterize them.
Deputies say when asked at the scene, Stocking admitted to cutting off the puppy's ears because he saw it on the internet. He was arrested Thursday and charged with aggravated cruelty to an animal, which is a felony.
He is facing additional charges for possession of a loaded firearm, cocaine and marijuana.
