DUNEDIN, FL --Pinellas County Deputies have arrested a Dunedin man for aggravated assault and cruelty to animals after he was seen beating his dog; and then reportedly threatened to shoot the person who saw him harm the animal, with a rifle.
Deputies responded to a home on 950 Beltrees Street at about 9:00 p.m. on Sunday, December 28, 2008.
A man told deputies he saw Cody Currie beating his dog with an open hand, throwing the animal against the window and yelling profanities at it. When the man yelled out to Currie to stop hurting the animal, he allegedly picked up a rifle and threatened to shoot him.
At that point, the neighbor called 911 to report the crime.
Deputies say that when they arrived on scene they approached the residence with caution and took cover. One deputy approached the home, knocked on the door and stepped to the side. That's when deputies heard gunfire. It was later discovered that a shot had been fired in the direction of the front door, near the location where the deputy who had knocked had been standing.
Deputies commanded all occupants of the home to exit immediately. The suspect, 20-year-old Cody Currie complied promptly and exited first, followed by a second occupant of the home. Deputies arrested Currie for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, felony cruelty to animals, and felony unlawful discharge of a firearm from within an occupied dwelling.
No injuries were reported.
The dog, described as black pit bull mix, was turned over to Animal Control Services for evaluation. A second dog in the home was also taken by animal control.
The investigation continues.
