St. Pete Man Hanged Dog, On Suicide Watch, Police Say

By STEPHEN THOMPSON | The Tampa Tribune
Published: March 13, 2008

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ST. PETERSBURG - A 20-year-old St. Petersburg man is in jail on charges that he hanged a pit bull.

Ahmond Isaac McCullough

Ahmond Isaac McCullough was booked into Pinellas County Jail on one count of animal cruelty on Wednesday.

St. Petersburg Police Department spokesman George Kajtsa said family members told police that McCullough had been exhibiting strange behavior, including anger, depression and extreme paranoia.

They were concerned because McCullough had access to guns, and they were afraid he might kill his father, with whom he had fought, or someone else in the family, Kajtsa said. They also were concerned he might kill himself.

McCullough told his father he had killed the dog, but when questioned by police, he only told them he put a nylon rope around its neck, Kajtsa said. McCullough told police the pit bull already was dead.

McCullough is on suicide watch at the jail, Kajtsa said.

Reporter Stephen Thompson can be reached at (727) 451-2336 or spthompson@tampatrib.com.