Christian Nicholas was apprehended after allegedly admitting to filming himself in a husky costume having sexual contact with his Siberian husky.
The 21-year-old was arrested by Pinellas County Sheriff's deputies on Monday in Oldsmar, Florida, on one count of aggravated animal cruelty. The investigation into Nichols began when Pinellas County detectives were informed that someone found a video and photos online of a man having sexual contact with a dog, according to the sheriff's office.
In the video and photos, a man was allegedly seen wearing a black-and-white Husky dog costume. During the alleged sexual acts, detectives told WTVT that the living Siberian Husky was in distress and tried to run away, but the man hit the dog with a sex toy.
"The costumed man is seen in the video using his penis and multiple penis shaped sex toys to have inappropriate sexual contact with a Siberian Husky dog," the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office said.
After becoming aware of the imagery on January 25, detectives used multiple methods of investigation and tracked the video and photographs to Nichols. Officers then visited him at his home in Oldsmar. While at his home, Nichols reportedly admitted to the officers that he made the video with his dog, which he identified as being named Ember. He also allegedly admitted to putting the video on the internet.
Pinellas County Animal Services responded to the home and removed both Ember and another dog from the 21-year-old's residence. The sheriff's office did not share what breed the second dog was or if Nichols owned both dogs or just Ember.
The Siberian Husky is considered to be a popular breed by the American Kennel Club, ranking 12 out of 193. Part of the working group, dogs usually live between 12 and 14 years and grow up to 60 points for males and 50 pounds for females.
Nichols was booked into Pinellas County Jail on Monday and is being held on a $5,000 bond. Detectives said that the investigation is still ongoing, but shared that it's likely more charges would be filed against the 21-year-old.
The charge of animal cruelty in the second degree is punishable by a maximum fine of $10,000. If it's determined that the person knowingly and intentionally tortured or tormented an animal, they will be ordered to pay a mandatory fine of $2,500 and undergo psychological counseling or complete an anger management treatment program. If it's the person's second or more offense, they will be ordered to pay a mandatory fine of $5,000 and serve at least six months in prison without the eligibility for parole or early release.
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