Man charged in pet prairie dog killing

DAVIE, Fla., July 20 (UPI) -- A Florida man has been arrested on animal cruelty charges for allegedly kicking a pet prairie dog to death, authorities said.

Police said Pedro Godales, 26, of Davie, Fla., was arrested Monday after he tossed a cage containing two pet prairie dogs against a wall and fatally kicked one of the stout-bodied rodents, the South Florida Sun-Sentinel reported.

Police officers were dispatched to Godales' home about 10 p.m. in response to a report of a domestic disturbance.

Godales' live-in girlfriend told police the altercation was over the couple's pet prairie dogs and a dog.

The unidentified girlfriend, three months pregnant, told officers Godales wanted to get rid of the pets before the baby arrived.

During an argument, police said, Godales picked up the cage with the two prairie dogs and threw it against the wall, kicking one of the animals when it tried to escape, killing it.

Godales appeared Tuesday before Broward County Judge John "Jay" Hurley, who set bond at $7,500.