COLUMBIA, Mo. -- A man has been arrested after the rabbit he stole from an animal shelter was found hanging from his outdoor apartment deck.

The Columbia Daily Tribune reports the 22-year-old man filled out paperwork Wednesday afternoon to adopt the rabbit. But Central Missouri Humane Society Executive Director Julie Aber said the man left with the rabbit without completing the adoption process. Aber said she called police and provided them the man's information.

Columbia police Officer Latisha Stroer said police were dispatched to the man's apartment Wednesday night. Officers received a call he had hung a dead rabbit from his outdoor apartment deck.

The man was arrested on suspicion of felony stealing and taken to a hospital. No charges were immediately filed.

Aber said shelter employees are "extremely devastated."