Police, RISPCA investigation leads to arrest after pet dog shot in the head, killed

A man has been arrested after shooting and killing his pet dog.

According to police, on Tuesday, at approximately 6:25 p.m., the Cranston Police Department responded to the parking lot of the Family Dollar store located at 480 Atwood Avenue for a report of a suspicious bag near the dumpster that had a blanket protruding from it containing blood. The bag was opened by a Patrol Officer and found to contain an 18-month-old, deceased male Bully mix dog. It was immediately apparent that the dog had suffered a traumatic head injury and had been recently disposed of.

The Rhode Island Society for the Prevention of Cruelty Animals was contacted and immediately joined the investigation. Special Agent Earl Newman of the Rhode Island SPCA retrieved the body of a dog for examination by Ms. Lindsay Thibeault, DVM, the RI SPCA’s Director of Veterinary Medicine, who determined that the dog died as a result of a gunshot wound to the head. Investigators learned the dog named Moses was owned by the residents of a Wayland Avenue home in Cranston.

A court-authorized search warrant was secured for a Wayland Avenue home and executed during the early morning hours of March 31st by the Cranston Police Special Reaction Team. Evidence was seized from the residence, including a stolen .22 caliber pistol and blood samples indicating the dog was killed at that location. The occupant of the address, identified as Anthony Devone, age 37, was immediately arrested and transported to Cranston Police Department Headquarters. He admitted he and his girlfriend owned Moses, and he shot him in the head with the pistol in the basement on March 29th before placing him in a bag and transporting him to the Family Dollar in a rental vehicle, where he discarded his body.

On March 31st, Devone was arraigned by a Justice of the Peace at Cranston Police Department on the charges of Malicious Injury/Killing of Animals, Possession of a Stolen Firearm, Possession of a Firearm After Being Convicted of a Crime of Violence, and Firing in a Compact Area.

Bail was set at $20,000 with surety, which Devone immediately posted and was released. He appeared this morning in Third District Court for a formal arraignment and bail review. The bail remains at $20,000 with surety, and the judge has prohibited Devone from having the care, custody, and control of animals. His next court date is June 24th, 2022, for a pre-arraignment conference. The seized firearm was reported stolen from the State of Mississippi and will undergo ballistic testing to determine if it has been used in any other crime.

Colonel Winquist stated, “I am sickened by the alleged actions of this defendant. Dogs serve as faithful companions whose sole purpose is to please their owners while relying on their owner’s care and compassion. 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 RI SPCA. I commend Investigator Newman, the entire staff at the RI SPCA, and Cranston Police Officers for conducting a swift and comprehensive investigation that resulted in this arrest.”

Director Kezirian stated, “The Rhode Island SPCA expresses its appreciation to the Cranston Police Department for its prompt response to this report of suspected animal abuse and for its exceptional assistance.”