A Weymouth, Massachusetts man is facing animal cruelty charges after he allegedly stomped his family’s Chihuahua, Coco, to death.
19-year-old Shykeim Basden received multiple charges of cruelty to animals, malicious killing of a domestic animal, threatening to commit a crime, and vandalism to property.
When police were called to Basden’s home, a witness told police that Basden had stomped on Coco multiple times and then left the house with her.
In an attempt to find Coco’s body, a family member told police that he may have tossed her into a nearby pond. Then deputies searched the shore, they found the deceased dog’s body.
That same night, police received tips on Basden’s whereabouts, and later found him in a parking lot, sitting in a car with his friends. They arrested him at the scene.
Weymouth Police Department via Boston.com
Basden was arraigned on his initial charges in court and pleaded not guilty.
According to Boston.com, a Norfolk County Grand Jury handed down indictments for cruelty to animals, malicious killing of an animal, threats, and malicious destruction of property.
The case has since been moved to Norfolk Superior Court, where it has yet to be scheduled.
H/T to Boston.com.
