DELAND -- Authorities say a DeLand man became angry and strangled a pet rat after accusing his wife of taking the last cigarette.
The Volusia County Sheriff's Office reports that Darren Daniels, 22, grabbed his wife during a confrontation early Thursday morning.
The 20-year-old woman told deputies that she eventually ran away and hid outside for about an hour. Before that, Daniels reportedly grabbed a white rat from a tank in their apartment, smashed its head and then strangled it.
Authorities said Daniels drove away recklessly and refused to pull over for deputies. Stop sticks were used to flatten his tires.
Daniels was charged with battery and fleeing and eluding. He was locked up on $3,000 bail.
Authorities said they were not sure if Danieles would be charged with animal cruelty.
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