[NYPOST] A Florida man was arrested for allegedly hanging a veteran’s emotional support dog with an electrical cord ‐ because it was barking, according to new reports.Robert Leroy Edwards, 38, was renting a room in a Manatee County home belonging to disabled Navy vet Richard Hunt’s adult son when the heart-breaking incident occurred early Wednesday, local media reported.
Midnight, Hunt’s emotional support dog, was also staying on the property ‐ and the man allegedly became enraged at the pooch’s barking and strangled the black lab to death with the cord, WFLA reported.
"[My son] called me hysterical," Hunt told WFTS. "He said someone is killing Midnight, he is killing Midnight. He is trying to hang her. He’s hanging her."
Edwards then allegedly woke Hunt’s other son, 16, who was sleeping in the home, and asked the teen to help hide the dog’s remains.He refused ‐ so Edwards punched him, local authorities told the outlet.
Hunt’s older son walked outside to see what was going on ‐ only to be attacked by Edwards as well, the local sheriff’s office told the news station.
The older son then called 911, and Edwards was arrested for battery, contributing to the delinquency of a minor and torture charges ‐ two misdemeanors and a felony.
Deputies later found Midnight’s body hidden inside the family’s boat on the property.
"I can see [Midnight’s] face that last minute," Hunt told WFTS.
"I can see her struggling, not understanding what’s going on, my heart, I mean, he’s such a scumbag to have done that to her."