Austin man accused of giving rubbing alcohol to puppy to drink, causing death

Kano, who was adopted by Joshua Fortier, 23, from Austin Pets Alive in November. Fortier is accused of killing Kano in May. Click through the slideshow to see which breed of dogs are good for new owners. Kano, who was adopted by Joshua Fortier, 23, from Austin Pets Alive in November. Fortier is accused of killing Kano in May. Click through the slideshow to see which breed of dogs are good for new owners. Photo: Austin Pets Alive! Photo: Austin Pets Alive! Image 1 of / 24 Caption Close Austin man accused of giving rubbing alcohol to puppy to drink, causing death 1 / 24 Back to Gallery

An Austin man is wanted for allegedly killing a 3-month-old puppy by feeding it rubbing alcohol while he was high.

The Austin American-Statesman is reporting that Joshua Paul Fortier, 23, is charged with animal cruelty for the death of Kano, a Blue Heeler mix.

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The American-Statesman reports Fortier was standing outside crying when his girlfriend came home on May 5. According to the newspaper, the woman found the puppy floating in the bathtub and an empty bottle of rubbing alcohol near the dog's water bowl. Fortier left before his girlfriend could confront him, according to the American-Statesman.

KEYE news station in Austin reports Fortier was high on drugs and thought the dog was a demon. According to KEYE, a neighbor who heard Kano whimpering and crying in the apartment said that Fortier unexpectedly walked into his apartment while naked. The neighbor told police he gave Fortier clothes and asked him to leave.

Hours after fleeing from his girlfriend, Fortier flagged down a police officer, KEYE reports. Fortier admitted to the officer he fed the puppy rubbing alcohol. Investigators took Fortier to a hospital because he was suspected of being high on drugs. According to the news station, investigators discovered Fortier consumed LSD, ecstasy and the synthetic marijuana, K2.

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Kano was adopted by Fortier and his girlfriend in November from Austin Pets Alive, an animal rescue shelter. The organization condemned Fortier for killing Kano.

"We are heartsick that this has happened to one of our graduates," Austin Pets Alive said in a statement on its website. "Thankfully the court system is pursuing justice for Kano and we hope it will exhaust every option to hold this person accountable for a horrific crime."