October 15, 2009
Gary Davidson
Public Information Officer

MAN CHARGED WITH ANIMAL CRUELTY FOR STRANGLING RAT DURING DOMESTIC QUARREL

A 22-year-old DeLand man arrested last week during a domestic quarrel with his wife is now facing additional charges for killing the couple’s pet rat during the argument. Volusia County Sheriff’s deputies responding to a report of a disturbance shortly before 2 a.m. on Oct. 9 arrested Darren Daniels, although he didn’t give up easily. Daniels had fled the couple’s residence on Ayesbury Circle north of DeLand after arguing with his wife and grabbing her during the spat. Daniels’ wife said the quarrel started when Daniels flew off the handle after accusing her of taking his last cigarette.

Responding deputies spotted Daniels fleeing in a vehicle and attempted to pull it over, but he refused to stop. Deputies eventually used spiked stop sticks to flatten the tires and force the car to the side of the road near the intersection of West Plymouth Avenue and North Stone Street. Daniels was arrested on charges of battery and fleeing or attempting to elude a law enforcement officer. Back inside Daniels’ apartment, deputies noticed numerous aquariums housing pet snakes, lizards and rats. One of the rats was dead. Daniels’ wife told deputies that during the argument, Daniels grabbed a rat from the aquarium and smashed its head against the side of the tank and then strangled the rat until it was dead.

After reviewing the case and applicable state statutes, deputies on Thursday filed an additional charging affidavit against Daniels for felony animal cruelty. Daniels remains in custody at the Volusia County Branch Jail in Daytona Beach.