Father: Girl did not kill Chihuahua

OREGON, Ohio (WUPW) - The father of the 10-year-old girl accused of drowning a Chihuahua in late July tells FOX Toledo News "there is more to the story than meets the eye."

James, who asked we not publish his last name, said his daughter was under pressure from police when she admitted to holding the small dog’s head underwater for five seconds, causing it to lose consciousness. While it was initially revived, the dog died days later.

The girl was charged with animal cruelty after continuing to make unwanted contact with the owner of the dog, the Lucas County Prosecutor’s Office said.

James thinks all the allegations are bogus.

In an e-mail to FOX Toledo, he wrote, "She is getting therapy and has been for years. She has at least [six] certified disabilities of her own. Her therapist has their own ideas."

After the incident that day, he took his daughter for a mental health evaluation.

James and the dog’s owner, Carla Frent, both live at the Piccadilly East apartments on Pickle Road in Oregon.

James said he feels like those living in the apartment complex are targeting him for being outsiders – he and his daughter are both from Tennessee and have heavy accents.

It’s not unusual for Frent’s 19-year-old mentally challenged daughter, Marcella, to play with his daughter in his apartment, James said in a phone interview.

Based on what he saw, he claims Marcella drowned the dog.

Frent repeatedly denied that claim during her initial interview with FOX Toledo, noting how distraught her daughter had been since the death of the dog.

There is no word on when the case will go to court.