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Florida woman accused of throwing dog off 7th-floor balcony during argument

CLEARWATER BEACH, Fla. — A Florida woman is accused of throwing a dog off a seventh-floor balcony during an argument Sunday, killing him, authorities said.

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Shelley Nicole Vaughn, 46, of Clearwater Beach, was arrested Monday and faces charges of aggravated animal cruelty, criminal mischief and domestic battery, according to Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office online booking records.

Vaughn was booked into the Pinellas County Jail Monday evening, the newspaper reported.

Eric Adeson was at his condominium in Clearwater Beach on Sunday when he was visited by Vaughn, whom he had been dating for several months, WFLA -TV reported. According to Adeson, the couple got into an argument and Vaughn threw his 3-year-old pug, Bucky, off the balcony, the Tampa Bay Times reported. Vaughn also tossed Adeson’s keys and cellphone off the balcony and struck him, Adeson said.

The dog was found dead on the pavement, the newspaper reported.

“I never thought anybody could do that,” Adeson told WTVT-TV. “I never thought anybody would have that in them.

“She picked up Bucky over there, and she just smiled and just threw him off the balcony.”

Katherine Neal, an attorney representing Adeson, filed a civil complaint against Vaughn on Monday in the Pinellas County Clerk of Court office, the Times reported. The complaint is seeking $30,000 in damages.

Hours before the argument, Adeson said he got a restraining order against Vaughn, who lives two floors below him in the same condominium, WTVT reported.

Neal said Adeson’s lawsuit was a way to give him a voice.

“We felt it necessary to do something big and loud to scream to the community that these kind of acts are unacceptable,” Neal told WTVT. “We are not going to allow that kind of behavior in our community.”

Vaughn was released after posting $20,000 bail, according to online booking records.