Florida man admits to killing his dog by setting it on fire, police say
Share and Follow


Jason Larson, 43, was arrested following a crash Sunday night on the Courtney Campbell Causeway in Tampa.

TAMPA, Fla. — A man is behind bars after Tampa Police Department officers said he admitted to killing his dog by setting it on fire before crashing his car on the Courtney Campbell Causeway.

Jason Larson, 43, has been charged with animal cruelty and is currently booked at Orient Road Jail, the department said in a news release. The incident happened around 7:15 p.m. when officers responded to reports of a fire in a parking lot on West Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard.

Witnesses said they saw Larson starting the fire in the parking lot before taking off. After the fire was put out, officers found the dog’s body.

Half an hour later, police received reports of a car crash on the Courtney Campbell Causeway. When they arrived, they reportedly found Larson on a ledge on the other side of the rail, “making statements that he killed his dog” and threatening to “harm himself.”

The causeway was shut down in both directions as negotiators talked Larson away from the ledge. After more than two hours, the 43-year-old was arrested at 10:42 p.m.

The causeway opened up to traffic about an hour later, police said.

Right now, officers say the investigation is still active.

You can find a complete list of resources in the Tampa Bay area for mental health by tapping or clicking here.

Share and Follow
You May Also Like

Governor Abbott Announces Texas Initiative to Address Perceived Political Bias in Academia

DALLAS — Texas Governor Greg Abbott is intensifying his effort to eliminate…

Sanae Takaichi Makes History as Japan’s First Female Prime Minister, Drawing Inspiration from Margaret Thatcher

While Britain recently celebrated the centenary of Margaret Thatcher’s birth, Japan carved…

Stunning Daylight Louvre Heist Unveiled: New Video Captures Thieves in Action

A newly surfaced video captures what might be the audacious Louvre thieves…

Trump Administration Initiates Furlough for 1,400 Nuclear Personnel

On Monday, the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) placed over 75% of…

Celebrity-Endorsed Tick Disease Outbreak Hits College Campuses: Health Alarms Raised Nationwide

Authorities at a Connecticut university have raised concerns about the spread of…

Trump Criticizes Australian Ambassador Amidst Signing of Rare-Earth Minerals Agreement

WASHINGTON — President Trump launched a verbal attack on a foreign ambassador…

Nicholas Rossi Receives 5-Year to Life Sentence in Salt Lake County Sexual Assault Case

Editor’s Note: Please be aware that this article includes sensitive topics such…

Texas Tech Bans Legendary Tortilla Toss: What Fans Need to Know

LUBBOCK, Texas — Texas Tech University has decided to put an end…