Matthew Ondo Allegedly Beheads Chihuahua, Izzy

PITTSBURGH (AP) — A Pittsburgh man is facing animal cruelty charges after he allegedly used a machete to decapitate his mother's Chihuahua.

Authorities said they were called to the home Wednesday evening, and Matthew Ondo's parents showed them the remains of the dog, named Izzy, along with a bloody machete and butcher knife.

According to a criminal complaint, Ondo, 30, at first denied killing the dog, then claimed the devil, Allah or "the Mexican" did it. Ondo's parents told police their son is an unemployed drug addict who has emotional problems.

His mother, Debra Ondo, told police she was playing upstairs with the 14-month-old dog when she heard her son call for Izzy. Her husband later came home and began yelling when he discovered what had happened, according to the complaint.

Ondo is being held at the Allegheny County jail, unable to post $25,000 bond. No attorney was listed on court papers.

A preliminary hearing was scheduled for Feb. 26.