A year-old pup has amazingly survived after its crazed owner threw it off a bridge twice, claiming witches had ordered him to do it.
Deranged Shannon Lee Cantrell, 43, reportedly tossed the young pit bull off the 34-foot-high bridge in Fingerville, South Carolina, USA, on 3rd October.
A shocked passer-by saw the sick act and called police.
Environmental cops swiftly arrived on the scene to find Cantrell trying to choke the dog to death with his bare hands.
Officers rescued the pooch and arrested the suspect for ill-treatment of animals.
Bizarrely, when questioned about the act, he told police that “witches” had told him to do it.
He was remanded in custody on a USD-5,000 (GBP-4,520) bond.
A mugshot shows him looking wild-eyed with unkempt hair and a cut on his neck.
If convicted, he faces up to five years in prison and a fine of USD 5,000.
The dog, which had fallen into water, was shaken but visibly unharmed.
It was taken to an animal care centre for a veterinary check-up.
In a statement obtained by Newsflash, Spartanburg County said: “On Monday, October 3, 2022, Spartanburg County Environmental Enforcement Officers responded to a call of someone tossing a dog from a bridge located on Highway 11 in the Fingerville area of Spartanburg County.
“Once on-site, Environmental Enforcement Officers spoke with a witness. The witness stated that a man was tossing a dog off and over the bridge. While searching the area below the bridge, Environmental Enforcement Officers located a man holding a canine in a chokehold.
“The individual was identified as 43-year-old Shannon Lee Cantrell. Officers removed the male, brown-and-white pitbull-type canine.
“Cantrell stated that ‘witches’ told him to throw the dog from the bridge. The dog was thrown twice. Cantrell told officers that he was the owner of the canine and released ownership to Spartanburg County.
“During the investigation, officers measured the distance from the bridge to the ground. This distance measured out at 34 feet. The canine was wet from being in the water below.
“Spartanburg County Environmental Enforcement secured a warrant for Cantrell’s arrest for violating state statue 47-1-40 (B) Ill treatment of Animals.
“Cantrell was detained and transported to the Spartanburg County Dentition Center by deputies with the Spartanburg County Sheriff’s Office. He faces an Animal Cruelty charge.
“The one-year-old canine did not show any visible signs of injury. However, the canine was clearly shaken by the incident and was transported to Greenville County Animal Care for assessment.”
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Story By: William McGee, Sub-Editor: Marija Stojkoska, Agency: Central European News
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