Earlier today, with my post about Maverick Dean Bryan, we visited the eerily familiar intersection of Christianity and mental illness. While we’re on that topic, let’s spare a thought for the Thompson family’s formerly white poodle.
Dad Patrick Zane Thompson, of Goodyear, Arizona, was so upset over a “satanic” shirt his daughter had allegedly worn that even after he burned the garment, he became convinced that he needed something more to appease the Lord. A male sacrifice was just the ticket, he decided.
Based on his readings of the Bible, Thompson announced he would kill himself, or his six-year-old son, or the family dog.
Somehow he didn’t end up picking himself. Nor, luckily, his son. But Sparky? Sparky had to go.
Police say the family grabbed the dog, a poodle, and tried to flee, but Thompson reportedly grabbed the daughter. The family pleaded with him until he released the girl and promised not to harm the dog,
… but he strangled it to death anyway, then threw it on the barbecue smoker.
Mysterious ways.
(Image via Shutterstock)
