Police: Spurned man throws woman's dog to his death

Stephen Herzog news-leader.com She told police the man, William B. Rabourn, 23, was trying to make sexual advances toward her on the bus, which she refused. She said when the bus stopped at a gas station, Rabourn got out and was not allowed back on the bus. He was left at the station, according to the statement. Later that evening, Rabourn showed up at the woman's apartment on Elm Street, just north of Missouri State University. A witness reported hearing loud banging from across the hall and went out to see Rabourn trying to break into the woman's apartment. "She then observed (Rabourn) kick the door in and then ... goes inside the apartment," the statement says. The witness called 911 and said Rabourn was in the apartment a very short time before walking out in the hallway with a small white dog, according to the statement. Police say the witness watched Rabourn walk down the hallway and stop at an open window where he "threw the dog overhand out of the open window." Officers located Rabourn on the south side of Juanita K. Hammons Hall, where he was arrested. Police went to the apartment where they found the door had been damaged and two hinges had been pulled off the left side of the door jamb. The alleged victim told police she'd had a casual romantic relationship with Rabourn for about three months and explained what happened on the party bus. She said her dog was an 8-month-old Maltese-poodle mix that she had paid about $600 for. The dog's name is Oliver. Police checked the woman's phone for contact with Rabourn. They say the most notable voicemail he left on the phone that evening was, "I'm about to **** your life up forever." Police checked the distance from the window where the dog was thrown to the ground, and measured it at about 46 feet, according to the statement. When police interviewed Rabourn, he acknowledged an argument on the party bus and being left at the gas station. When asked about the dog, he said he wanted to speak with an attorney, according to the statement. Rabourn has been charged with felony burglary and felony stealing an animal. Prosecutors this week filed a motion to add misdemeanor animal abuse to the case. In Missouri, animal abuse is always a misdemeanor on a first offense, unless the person tortures or mutilates the animal before its death. Prosecutors say Rabourn has little criminal history — only minor offenses like traffic infractions. But they also wrote, "however, given the senseless killing of a defenseless animal, the cruelty shown towards the victim, the violation of a residence, defendant has shown a kind of erratic and violent behavior that makes him dangerous to this community." On Tuesday, Rabourn posted bond of $15,000 and was released from jail.