Florida man arrested for animal cruelty after killing kittens

David Charette Jr., 48, was arrested in Lee County, Florida, following allegations of aggravated animal cruelty. Deputies responded to a residence in Pine Manor after receiving reports that a man was attempting to drown and strike a two-month-old kitten named Luna.

Witnesses and the suspect's 14-year-old daughter reported that Charette killed two kittens and injured a third as a form of punishment for her behavior. According to investigators, the daughter claimed her father had struck the kitten with a nail polish bottle and placed it inside a clothes dryer. One kitten was reportedly taken to an animal hospital for treatment and is recovering.

During the arrest, bodycam footage shows Charette claiming the kitten was simply being bathed because it had soiled itself. However, a search of the property revealed evidence of previous incidents, including a kitten allegedly killed with bleach and another reportedly burned with a hair dryer. Charette's bond has been set at $100,000.