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Man Accused Of Tossing Two Dogs To Their Deaths From Apartment Balcony
Only one of the two dogs belonged to the alleged killer, Zachary Hanson, according to police.
A Virginia man is facing animal cruelty charges after reportedly throwing two dogs to their deaths from an apartment balcony.
Police were dispatched to a high-rise in Arlington, Virginia, following an animal complaint report on April 27, according to an Arlington County police report.
Zachary Hanson, 26, has been accused of throwing two dogs off one of the building’s fifth-story balconies, local news site ARLnow reports. He was arrested and charged with two counts of torturing an animal causing death, according to public criminal case details.
“One [dog] belonged to the suspect, the other belonged to someone known to the suspect,” police spokesperson Ashley Savage told ARLnow. “To best protect the identity of the victim, we will not release additional information related to their relationship.”
Since March, Hanson has apparently run an Instagram account for his 4-month-old Yorkshire terrier, Onny.
It is unclear whether this was one of the dogs thrown to their deaths. However, hundreds of commenters have now taken to the feed – many to condemning Onny’s owner for his alleged actions.
“Did he create this page so he could shatter folks’ hearts with his cruelness?” one commenter asked.
Others expressed sympathy for the perished pups.
“Sweet baby boy, your short life on earth had the most horrific end, and you did nothing wrong beautiful angel,” one commenter said. “How I wish you had been mine, I’d be holding and loving you forever!!”
Hanson is being held without bond. His charges are counted as class six felonies, which are punishable by between one and six years in prison under Virginia law.
His defense attorney, Adam Krischer, could not be immediately reached for comment.
