Arizona: Patrick Thompson, 42, arrested for allegedly breaking poodle's neck and putting it in bbq smoker

ARIZONA -- A father of four is behind bars after he allegedly “sacrificed” the family pet after getting upset over his teen’s T-shirt.

Authorities were called to the family home on Sunday, where they found 42-year-old Patrick Zane Thompson lying on the sidewalk, saying the “Devil made him do it.”

According KSAZ, Thompson became upset over a T-shirt his 17-year-old daughter had on when he arrived home.

He told her to take it off, and then threw the shirt in an industrial size BBQ smoker that was parked beside the house.

Once back inside the home, Thompson reportedly became erratic and told the family he needed to make a sacrifice of one of the males.

He went on to say it had to be either himself, his 6-year-old firstborn or the family poodle.

Fearing for their safety, the mother grabbed the children and tried to escape, but Thompson reportedly was able to get a hold of the dog.

Investigators said the family pleaded with him not to hurt the poodle, but he didn’t listen. In front of his kids, Thompson broke the dog’s neck and then proceeded to strangle the dog.

Thompson with his wife in happier times

At that point Thompson didn’t feel the sacrifice was complete, police said.

He reportedly told investigators he had to put the dog in a “lake of fire.”

Police documents stated officers searched the BBQ smoker and found Thompson had put the animal inside the heating element and turned it on.

Officers said Thompson admitted to smoking marijuana prior to the incident.

Thompson is facing multiple charges including animal cruelty, assault, threats against his family and tampering with evidence.

(WREG - May 16, 2016)