EVERETT — An Everett man has been arrested for investigation of felony animal cruelty after allegedly punching his girlfriend’s dog to death on Christmas.
A necropsy on Romeo, a 14-pound Cockapoo, showed the dog died from his aorta being ripped away from his heart, according to a police affidavit. An X-ray also showed Romeo, 10, had two broken ribs.
The incident allegedly occurred when Jonah Brown, 33, and his girlfriend were having guests over for Christmas dinner. She was on her way home from work at the time.
Witnesses told police that Brown grew frustrated when Romeo wouldn’t stop begging for food.
Initially, he reportedly grabbed the dog by the scruff of the neck and threw him toward his kennel. The animal yelped and cried, police alleged in the affidavit.
Brown then allegedly grabbed Romeo by the tail and carried him toward the kitchen where he punched him twice in the side, court papers said.
“After the second punch, Romeo hit the wall and fell into a trash can,” the affidavit said.
Brown allegedly told one of the guests that he killed the dog.
First-degree animal cruelty occurs when someone “intentionally inflicts substantial pain on, causes physical injury to, or kills an animal by a means causing undue suffering,” according to state law.
The man was arrested and booked into the Snohomish County Jail on Monday after police reviewed a veterinarian’s report.
“Obtaining records and interviews took the majority of the time,” Everett police officer Aaron Snell said.
Both the city’s animal control department and police investigate animal complaints.
Police typically are involved in cases that result in criminal charges, Snell said.
“On cases with larger ramifications, we would investigate and develop the probable cause,” Snell said.
Eric Stevick: 425-339-3446, stevick@heraldnet.com.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
