Cranston Man Admits To Shooting Girlfriend's Dog, Dumping Body: Police

CRANSTON, RI — A Cranston man is accused of killing a dog and leaving the body near a dumpster. Cranston police are investigating the crime with the Rhode Island Society for the Prevention of Cruelty Animals.

Around 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Cranston police were called about a suspicious looking bag near a dumpster on Atwood Avenue. A blood-covered blanket was sticking out of the bag, police said.

Police found the body of an 18-month-old male bully mix dog in the bag. It appeared to be recently dumped and had serious head trauma, police said. The dog's body was taken to the RISPCA, which determined the cause of death to be a gunshot wound to the head.

The dog was identified as Moses, whose owners lived at 136 Wayland Ave. Early Thursday morning, police searched the home and found a stolen 0.22 caliber pistol and blood stains that indicated the dog was killed there. One of the residents, 37-year-old Anthony Devone, was arrested.

Devone said that his girlfriend owned Moses. He told police that he shot the dog in the basement Wednesday night, then brought the body to the dumpster in a rental vehicle. He was arraigned by a justice of the peace at Cranston Police Headquarters and charged with malicious injury or killing of an animal, possession of a stolen gun, possession of a gun after committing a crime and firing in a compact area. He was then released on $20,000 bail.

Cranston Police Chief Michael Winquist said he was "sickened" by the charges.

"Dogs serve as faithful companions whose sole purpose is to please their owners while relying on their owner's care and compassion," Winquist said. "This dog was inhumanely and senselessly executed and discarded like trash. We would have gladly accepted this dog at our animal shelter as a surrender with no questions and found him a loving home with an owner who deserved him. If anyone finds themselves in a situation where they can no longer care for an animal, please contact your local animal shelter or the RISPCA."

Devone was formally arraigned in court Friday morning, when a judge ordered that he cannot care for any animals. He is set to appear in court again June 24.

The gun was reported stolen in Mississippi and will be tested to determine if it was used for any other crimes, police said.