Allen police arrested Michael John Ennis, 22, on Tuesday on an animal-cruelty charge, according to jail records. He is being held at the Collin County Jail in lieu of $25,000 bail.
The Dallas County district attorney’s office and the SPCA of Texas began investigating after a dog was rushed to an animal clinic around midnight May 20, according to a statement from the SPCA.
Authorities say Ennis beat the 3 year-old Yorkie mix, named Roberto, at his girlfriend’s house in Farmers Branch.
Roberto had to be euthanized because of his injuries, the SPCA said.
A necropsy found that little Roberto’s left eye socket was fractured, his left eye was bulging out and there was bruising on his head and body, the SPCA said. He also sustained several broken ribs.
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| RIP little guy |
Officials obtained an arrest warrant for Ennis on Thursday. If convicted, he faces 6 months to two years in a state jail.
More likely, though, he'll get probation and be allowed to walk right out of the courtroom. This is how aggravated animal cruelty cases are typically handled in most states.
"There is a well-documented link between animal cruelty and human violence." said James Bias, president of the SPCA of Texas, in a statement. "Bringing these individuals to justice will help stop the cycle of abuse."
(Dallas Morning News - June 7, 2016)
