A man has been arrested on suspicion of raping and killing a dog that was found hanging from a tree.

James Leroy Evans, 33, has been charged with first degree animal cruelty and is currently being held on a $50,000 (£35,000) bail.

The dog was found hanging from a tree in Thurston County, Washington, in March. A necropsy determined the dog had been “aggressively sexually violated” and had died of asphyxiation.

The dog, named Diamond, had been an emotional support animal for an eight-year-old boy known to Evans. FoxQ13 reports allegations that Evans had offered to look after the dog while the family, who were relatives of Evans, found housing that allowed dogs.

The mother of the eight-year-old boy told police that Evans allegedly said he killed the dog because it killed his pet iguana, The Bellingam Herald reports.

Local media report that Evans has a criminal history with convictions including domestic violence, burglary and controlled substance charges.