Florida man accused of breaking into ex’s home, flushing fish down toilet after smashing tank
TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — A Florida man was arrested after he broke into his ex-girlfriend’s home, smashing her fish tank, then flushing the fish down the toilet, according to an arrest report.
On May 4, Lee County deputies responded to a Cape Coral home regarding a battery incident.
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The victim, who lived at the home, told officials that Bret Austin Dahl, 29, broke into the house through a window at 2:30 a.m. and attacked her.
According to the affidavit, Dahl threw a picture frame at her and demanded she tell him where his firearm was. Dahl then pushed her into a closet door, causing her to fall, and began knocking everything off the kitchen counter and other items including the TV, thermostat, two ceiling fans, and dishware, among other items.
The report said Dahl smashed the victim’s $300 betta fish tank, containing her fish “Bean.” The victim told officials she heard Dahl flush the toilet and did not see her fish after that. Dahl then grabbed her phone and took off from the house.
As he was leaving, he kicked and shattered her vehicle’s headlight and smashed one of the car’s windows, before he left in his friend’s Jaguar.
Cape Coral police said Dahl caused nearly $3,370 in damage and “unnecessarily killed an animal when he deliberately and maliciously took the life of the Victim’s betta fish.”
Dahl was arrested later that morning and was taken to the Lee County Jail. He was charged with battery (domestic violence), grand theft, criminal mischief (property damage), tampering with a victim, and animal cruelty.
Court records show Dahl had a court date on June 10, but remains in custody.
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