A 17-year-old boy from Albert Lea is being charged with violently killing his family’s dog.

According to court documents, Omar Rodriguez allegedly used a brick to smash in the skull of the dog, a male Chihuahua, on the porch of his home on Oct. 13.

Because of concerns for Rodriguez and his family’s safety, officials transported the teenager this week to a juvenile detention facility in Red Wing. He is slated to appear in Freeborn County District Court on Monday.

He faces one felony count of overworking or mistreating an animal.

Court records state police were called to Rodriguez’s home, 822 Madison Ave., just after noon on Oct. 13. A family member had reported the incident.

When an officer arrived at the house, he met with the boy’s father and two of his brothers on the porch where the Chihuahua was found, court documents continue.

The officer said the dog was found laying next to a cinder block with a large pool of blood underneath it. The teenager had reportedly set the dog on the cinder block and then used a paver brick to strike it in the head.

One of Rodriguez’s brothers reportedly told police the teenager had been upset lately with the family because they had recently given away one of the dog’s puppies.

The boy was allegedly the only one home at the time of the incident.

Police interviewed Rodriguez on Tuesday, during which time the teenager reportedly admitted he had killed the dog, noting he has “unpredictable behavior.”

Court documents stated the family also had concerns about Rodriguez’s use of controlled substances.

The Monday hearing is slated to being at 1 p.m.

Though Rodriguez is being charged as a juvenile, his hearing will be open to the public because he is over 16 and being charged with a felony crime.