Man Who Blew Up Dog Not Charged with Abuse Because Dog 'Didn't Suffer'
A Washington father of one who blew up the family dog because he believed it was possessed by the devil will not be charged with animal cruelty because, according to authorities, the dog didn't suffer.
Skamania County deputies arrived at the Sevenson home of Christopher W. Dillingham early Sunday morning following multiple reports of a loud explosion.
Dog parts were found strewn across the 45-year-old's yard.
Deputies say Dillingham, a fireworks stand owner with a lengthy criminal record, blew up a homemade explosive device attached to Cabella's neck because he believed the yellow lab was evil.
Dillingham said his ex-girlfriend, who had given him the dog after her cousin could no longer care for it, "put the devil in it."
He was also in the process of preparing for a nuclear "rapture" and had removed all the metal objects from his home because they were inhabited by "the souls of demons."
Dillingham was ultimately booked on charges of reckless endangerment and possession of an explosive device, but not on animal cruelty charges.
Undersheriff Dave Cox explained that a cruelty charge requires proof of animal suffering, which was absent in this case, because the dog's death "was instantaneous."
Skamania County Prosecutor Adam Kick told KPTV it was possible animal cruelty charges will be added later "if the law allows."
Dillingham remains behind bars in lieu of $500,000 bail.
