Florida: Police say Danny Wagner beat and stomped on his puppy, killing him

FLORIDA -- A 27-year-old Stuart man was arrested Friday in connection with injuries sustained by a pit bull named Taz, who had to be euthanized, according to the Martin County Sheriff's Office.

Danny Rae Wagner was arrested on an aggravated animal cruelty charge and was held on $5,000 bond, Sheriff William Snyder said.

Taz was taken to the Humane Society of the Treasure Coast in Palm City on Feb. 18, according to a Sheriff's Office report. X-rays showed the puppy had a severe skull fracture and the dog had to be euthanized.

A veterinarian at Palm City Animal Medical Center on Southwest Mapp Road suspected the injury was caused by blunt-force trauma of some kind, according to the report.

Snyder said investigators learned of Wagner through the woman who brought Taz to the Humane Society.

Wagner told authorities he had stomped his foot to get another dog to stop misbehaving. He inadvertently stomped on Taz's head.

"He knew he hurt the dog and then he knew the dog was acting ill or injured, did nothing about it," Snyder said.

(TCPalm - March 4, 2016)