Clay County Man Sentenced to 5 Years for Killing Girlfriend’s Dog

State Attorney Melissa Nelson announces that Cole Daughtry pleaded guilty to the court during a pretrial hearing on October 6, 2026, for one count of Aggravated Animal Cruelty. The Honorable Steven Whittington immediately sentenced Daughtry to five years in Florida State Prison, the maximum penalty per the statute.

On Aug. 2, 2026, Daughtry’s girlfriend called the Clay County Sheriff’s Office to report that Daughtry strangled and killed her dog. The couple shared a phone; while looking through photos and videos, she found video of Daughtry torturing and strangling her dog. Daughtry duck taped the dog around his legs and muzzle. Daughtry previously told his girlfriend that her dog died of natural causes.

The case was investigated by the Clay County Sheriff’s Office and prosecuted by Assistant State Attorney Kristen Huether.