Florida authorities charged a man with homicide after he allegedly shot his neighbor during a dispute over a cat

Cliffton Anthony Bliss Jr., 48, retrieved a firearm after his neighbor’s cat crossed into his property Wednesday. He threatened to shoot the cat but shot its owner, James Arland Taylor Jr., 41, instead. 

Bliss Marion County Cat Shooting

Cliffton Anthony Bliss Jr. (DOB: 2/28/1963) charged with Second Degree Homicide after he shot and killed his neighbor.  (Courtesy Marion County Sheriff's Office Facebook)

Taylor had pleaded with Bliss to not shoot the cat, according to authorities. 

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The Marion County Sheriff’s Office charged Bliss with second-degree homicide after an investigation by the Major Crimes Division. 

Witnesses who were driving by the scene told authorities they saw the victim laying on the ground and asked if he was OK, to which he responded, "No, I’m dying." 

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Bliss was known as a troublemaker in his neighborhood, FOX 35 Orlando reported. Neighbors referred to bliss as a "hothead" who would often argue with neighbors, often while armed. 

He often argued about pets in the neighborhood. 

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Marion County Sheriff’s spokesperson Sgt. Paul Bloom noted that Bliss could have handled the situation through officials, such as Marion County Animal Services, if he had "nuisance animal complaints." 

Bliss is being held in the Marion County Jail with no bond.