A Lake County man was arrested after deputies said he shot and killed another man’s hunting dog.

Man accused of killing hunting dog

Todd Sweitzer charged with animal cruelty

Deputies say he shot hunting dog on national forest property



Todd Sweitzer, 49, is charged with grand theft and animal cruelty.

According to deputies, Jason McGhee was training his hunting dog in the Ocala National Forest on Saturday. McGhee said he was tracking the dog as she ventured near the Deer Haven community, but she never entered private property.

McGhee told deputies that he could hear his dog barking in the distance. He then heard gunshots, and the barking stopped.

McGhee said he found the dog lying on the ground with two gunshot wounds and that her tracking collars were missing. The dog was still on national forest property.

Deputies said McGhee was able to track the missing collars to a residence at 47202 South West Avenue and called authorities.

When deputies arrived at the home, they encountered Sweitzer, who they said immediately denied shooting a dog.

After a search warrant was obtained, Sweitzer "spontaneously" told deputies as they were reading it that “the collars are in the house in a box and the .45 is concealed in an air-conditioning duct in the bathroom.”

Sweitzer was arrested and booked into the Lake County Jail.