BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. – A 72-year-old man faces charges after deputies said he shot and killed his dog while frustrated at Florida Power & Light for not getting his power back on after Hurricane Milton.
According to Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey, deputies responded to John Burgos’ residence around 4 a.m. on Oct. 12.
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Deputies said Burgos started shooting his gun inside of his home because he was mad at FPL because his power was still out. One of the bullets struck his dog, which died after rescue attempts at an animal hospital.
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“Now, if that’s not bad enough, he doesn’t immediately call 911,” Sheriff Ivey said in a video posted to social media. “No surprise here, but alcohol was involved in this.”
Ivery said that Burgos then went to his neighbor’s house — because he claimed he couldn’t find his phone — to call 911 and report that he thought he shot his dog.
According to deputies, Burgos returned to his home, sat on the porch and failed to try to help the bleeding dog while first responders made their way to the home.
“This individual is pissed off at FPL, so he shoots and kills his dog,” Ivey said. “He still shows no remorse for what happened. The only thing he said when he was told that his dog had died is, ‘Man, FPL made me do that.’”
Burgos faces charges of animal cruelty, using a firearm under the influence of alcohol and shooting into a dwelling.
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