(May 2017) West Virginia: Police say Michael Watson, 45, killed his mother's dog by slamming a vase on its head while it was sleeping then throwing its body at her

WEST VIRGINIA -- A Henderson man has been charged with animal cruelty after he allegedly killed his mother’s dog, according to a complaint filed in Mason County Magistrate Court.

Michael S. Watson (Mike Watson), 44, was arrested by deputies with the Mason County Sheriff’s Department this week.

According to the criminal complaint filed in Magistrate Court, it’s alleged Watson and his mother got into an argument at their home in Henderson.

Watson had reportedly been drinking, and when his mother told him to, "look for [the number] himself," he became physically violent.

Watson allegedly struck a nearby wall with his fist, and moved to the kitchen where his mother heard something strike her floor.

The mother walked into the living room and said she saw butcher knives and a cutting board on the floor, according to the complaint.

She then stated she bent over to get her purse to leave and as she bent over, her mortally wounded dog landed at her feet.

The victim told deputies she was unsure whether the defendant allegedly hit the dog with a glass flower vase or threw the dog into a wall. The dog was breathing when she picked it up but died almost immediately, according to the complaint. 

Watson reportedly told deputies he picked up a flower pot and slammed it on the floor out of anger and that it landed right on her sleeping dog.

He claimed he "didn't know" the dog just happened to be lying on the floor sleeping, according to the complaint.

This tells me he's lying. There is no way that this dog could have been 'sleeping' with him screaming at his elderly mother, stomping around the house throwing things, etc. 

He either grabbed her dog and flung it against the wall killing it or the dog was cowering and he came over and smashed the vase down onto its head, crushing its skull and killing it. He then picked up the dying little dog and flung it at his elderly mother.

 

Watson’s bond was set at $50,000 by Magistrate Cheryl Ross. As of Wednesday evening, he remained incarcerated at the Western Regional Jail.

Deputy J. T. Veith is the investigating officer.

PREVIOUS ARREST FOR MIKE WATSON:
The Mason County Sheriff’s Department reports the following arrests May 19-May 24, 2017: Michael S. Watson, 44, Henderson, aggravated DUI, seat-belt violation, no operators, arrested by Deputy Waugh.

(Point Pleasant Register - May 24, 2017)