Man accused of drowning rabbit in hotel pool

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — A 49-year-old man is accused of drowning his pet rabbit in a hotel swimming pool near Tampa.

The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office says Steve B. Rodd of Tampa intentionally dropped the rabbit into the pool at the Vista Inn. He was charged with aggravated cruelty to animals.

Sheriff’s officials say Rodd stood on the pool deck, tossed the rabbit into the water, and walked away after about two minutes when the animal went still.

A guest at the hotel told officials that he saw the rabbit floating in the pool and that maintenance staff removed it.