- December 4, 2025
A 55-year-old Palm Coast man was arrested Thursday on an aggravated animal cruelty charge after he choked his dog to death in late January.
According to an arrest report by the Flagler County Sheriff's Office, a deputy responded to Howard Blair's home in the W section on Jan. 24, after receiving a call about an animal problem. Once there, the deputy spoke with Blair's wife, who informed the deputy that she was leaving her husband.
Upon speaking with Blair, the deputy discovered that he had killed their 15-month-old American bulldog and Labrador retriever, named Nutmeg, after she injured one of their teacup Chihuahua. Blair admitted to choking the dog the night before, and later burying her in the backyard.
This was corroborated by the man's wife, who told the deputy that she was getting ready to leave to the emergency vet with the teacup Chihuahua when Blair told her he had killed Nutmeg.
Charges were then forwarded to the State Attorney's Office.
Deputies obtained a warrant for Blair's arrest on Tuesday, May 27, arresting him on Thursday, May 29. According to his most recent report, deputies noted that there were multiple dogs in the home, "along with an excessive amount of urine and dog feces on the home's floor."
He was released on a $2,500 bond.
