The Salinas Californian reports police officers found the 12-pound dog hanging by its collar on a bedroom door handle.
Investigators say the boy told officers he was mad at the dog and he wanted to see it die.
Dispatchers got a 911 emergency call Friday afternoon from a female caller saying the boy was hurting the dog. People in the boy's apartment refused to open the door when Salinas police arrived, so officers obtained a pass key.
The boy was arrested and taken to Monterey County Juvenile Hall for investigation of felony animal cruelty.
