1
A Harrowing Tale
A 55-year-old man from Palm Coast has been charged with aggravated animal cruelty following a disturbing incident involving the death of a young dog earlier this year. Howard Blair was arrested by Flagler County deputies on May 29, several months after an investigation began in response to a report of a deceased pet.
The case dates back to January, when deputies were called to a home in Palm Coast for an animal-related complaint. Upon arrival, they learned that a 15-month-old American Bulldog and Labrador Retriever mix named Nutmeg had died the night before. Investigators determined that Blair was responsible for killing the dog by strangulation. According to the sheriff’s office, the violence reportedly occurred after Nutmeg bit another dog during a feeding situation.
After the incident, Blair allegedly wrapped Nutmeg’s body in a blanket, placed her inside a plastic storage bin, and buried her in the backyard. On May 27, a judge signed a warrant for his arrest. Two days later, he was booked at the Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility. He was later released on a $2,500 bond.
Wife Speaks Out About the Night Nutmeg Died
Rhonda Blair, Howard’s wife, shared her side of the story with FOX 35 Orlando. She has since filed for divorce and is grieving the loss of the dog she raised and trained.
“It has been really hard. I miss her so much every day. She was a good girl. She was learning; she learned 12 tricks. She was smart, she was loving,” said Rhonda Blair.
Rhonda said she was present the night her husband allegedly killed Nutmeg.
“I went into the house and said, ‘Where’s Nutmeg?’ And he said, ‘She’s dead. I choked her out’,” she recalled. “I saw her on the ground, and she was gone.”
Howard Blair later told law enforcement that Nutmeg had bitten their Chihuahua, Jackson, and he acted in defense. But Rhonda said that was not what took place.
“Jackson growled at Nutmeg. She growled back and lunged but did not attack him. I want to clarify that. Jackson was knocked to the ground by my husband. He received blunt force trauma and traumatic brain injury. The husband took Nutmeg in the house, choked her, and pinched her nose until she died,” she said.
Officials Condemn the Violence
Authorities confirmed the dogs had been separated at the time of the alleged killing. Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly spoke strongly against the actions taken.
“You felt that instead of trying to discipline or teach the dog not to fight with your other dogs, you’re just going to strangle it to death,” said Sheriff Staly. “It really takes, in my mind, a crazed person to put their hands around an animal’s neck, or anybody’s neck, and to strangle a dog takes a lot of pressure, just like when you strangle a human, and it’s very painful until they eventually die.”
