COLUMBUS, Ohio — A firefighter accused of shooting his dogs and dumping their bodies in a Dumpster near his fire station allegedly boasted in text messages that he was going to kill his animals instead of paying to have them boarded, according to court records obtained Tuesday by 10TV News.

Information included in a search warrant revealed that a tipster told investigators about the text messages that were allegedly sent by Columbus firefighter David Santuomo.

Earlier this month, an anonymous tip brought officers from the Capital Area Humane Society to the Dumpster behind Station 27 where they found two bloody bags containing the dogs' bodies.

Santuomo, a 12-year veteran of the department, told his superiors that he shot the dogs because he thought they had consumed antifreeze.

In a letter written to Columbus fire Chief Ned Pettus, Santuomo claimed he thought the dogs drank a "toxic substance" and was afraid they were "suffering."  Santuomo added that he shot them to "save them" from their misery.

Investigators were looking into claims that Santuomo bragged to other firefighters about killing the dogs because he was going on vacation, 10TV News reported.

No charges have been filed.

Investigators are still waiting for toxicology reports to show whether or not the dogs consumed a toxic substance.

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Previous Stories:

December 16, 2008: Investigation Continues Into Firefighter Who Allegedly Shot, Killed Dogs
December 10, 2008: Firefighter Allegedly Shoots, Kills Dogs

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